World Cup Qualifying Preview: Brazil - Peru

Kick-off: Wednesday, 1 April 2009, 22:10 local time – Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, Brazil

Back Down To Earth

Brazil looked to have rediscovered some of their old attacking majesty following their impressive wins over Portugal and Italy in their last two international friendlies. But they were given a harsh reality check in the tough environment of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers at the weekend when they struggled dreadfully against Ecuador.

Playing at about 9, 350 feet above sea level, Dunga’s men huffed, puffed and floundered. Indeed, they were extremely lucky to return to normal elevation with a point in the bag after they were outplayed for the entirety of the game in Quito.

They did, however, score their very first goal in Ecuador in a World Cup qualifying match but the solitary point, precious as it was, wasn’t enough to stop them sliding down from second to fourth spot in the standings after direct rivals Argentina and Chile both won.

The Selecao will be relieved to return to the comforts of their own home - 33 feet above sea level - when they entertain rock-bottom Peru on Wednesday. A convincing victory will be obligatory in the eyes of the fans, not so much because of the opponents they are facing, but more so because they have not scored a single goal in their last three home qualifiers and the carnival crowd are desperate for something to dance, sing and cheer about.

Anything but maximum points could also see the Canarinho drop out of the top four and put Dunga’s job in severe jeopardy.

Down And Out

Peru’s defeat on Sunday to Chile was, surprisingly, their first loss at home in the qualifying campaign. But, having picked up only one win so far, they are rooted to the foot of the ten-team group.

The Blanquirrojas qualified for the World Cup finals three times in the four editions between 1970 and 1982 but since then, they have never made a return to football’s grandest stage. And any hopes of ending a near 30-year jinx will have to wait a little longer. Their 2010 South Africa dreams look to have gone up in smoke as they are a full nine points behind the top five.

Although there are sill 18 points on offer after Wednesday’s round of games, Jose del Solar’s side are showing no signs of making any immediate improvements to challenge any of the teams directly above them. If anything, they appear to be going backwards, having failed to win any game of any sort since early September last year.

FORM GUIDE

Brazil

Mar 29 Ecuador 1-1 Brazil (CONMEBOL WCQ)

Feb 10 Brazil 2-0 Italy (FRIENDLY)

Nov 19 Brazil 6-2 Portugal (FRIENDLY)

Oct 15 Brazil 0-0 Colombia (CONMEBOL WCQ)

Oct 12 Venezuela 0-4 Brazil (CONMEBOL WCQ)

Peru

Mar 29 Peru 1-3 Chile (CONMEBOL WCQ)

Feb 11 Peru 0-1 Paraguay (FRIENDLY)

Feb 06 El Salvador 2-1 Peru (FRIENDLY)

Oct 15 Paraguay 1-0 Peru (CONMEBOL WCQ)

Oct 11 Bolivia 3-0 Peru (CONMEBOL WCQ)

TEAM NEWS

Brazil

Kaka has been given the green light for selection after recovering from a foot injury, although he is still not fit enough to play the full 90 minutes. Right-back Maicon is certain to miss out after straining a thigh muscle at the weekend, effectively ruling him out of action for around a month. Dani Alves should start in his place.

Dunga has so far given no hints whether or not he will make any significant chances to the starting line-up after their strenuous display at Ecuador.   

Probable Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Julio Cesar – Maicon, Lucio, Luisao, Marcelo – Gilberto Silva, Felipe Melo – Elano, Ronaldinho, Robinho – Luis Fabiano/Adriano

Peru

Left-back Juan Vargas is banned after being sent-off against Chile last Sunday while fellow defender, Paolo de la Haza will also be suspended for card accumulation. Wenceslao Fernandez and Juan Carlos La Rosa will come in to the squad to take their places. Striker Hernan Rengifo, who missed the weekend defeat, will remain sidelined.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Butron – Prado, Zambrano, Alberto Rodriguez, Vilchez – Solano, Rainer Torres, Miguel Torres, Ramirez – Chavez, Fano

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brazil

Kaka looks unlikely to start the game but he will be called upon without hesitation if Brazil again fail to find any creative inspiration in midfield. But all eyes will also be on Robinho, Ronaldinho and Luis Fabiano, after the attacking trio failed to perform in Quito.  

Peru

With numerous star absentees, veteran Nolberto Solano remains Peru’s highest profile player in the squad and his team will be counting on his experience in midfield to help stop Brazil’s marauding attackers.

PREDICTION

Brazil may be performing erratically at the moment but they should still have enough attacking artillery to bag all three points, especially against a Peru side who have lost all five of their away qualifiers so far, conceding 17 goals in the process and scoring only once.

The Selecao should feel confident of a victory, but the problem is, just three points alone won’t be enough. They have to impress the home crowd and the local media.

Brazil 3-0 Peru

KS Leong, Goal.com