Bayern Munich striker in Peru squad to face T&T.
By: Shaun Fuentes.[/size]
National Football Coach Leo Beenhakker has requested two matches against a Caribbean nation and will get his wish as he sees a local President’s Eleven take on Grenada’s National Olympic team in two matches on April 25 and 27.
The games will kick off at 7pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium and Manny Ramjohn Stadium on the two days respectively. The local squad is expected to comprise of mainly home-based players who Beenhakker has shortlisted for his World Cup selections.
Meantime, the Peru squad which will arrive here to face T&T on May 10 was announced on Monday and will include strike duo Jefferson Farfan and José Paolo Guerrero.
A three-time World Cup participant, the Peruvians are making all attempts to climb it’s way back up the South American ladder after finishing in ninth spot among the ten nations vying to qualify for the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany. In relation to the match against T&T, they could prove a stern test for the Soca Warriors as against T&T’s World Cup opponents Paraguay, they came away handsome 4-1 winners and then held the Paraguayans to a 1-1 draw in the two 2006 World Cup qualifying matches played between them.
The team boasts of several talented footballers with several of them plying their trades in the Peruvian League and in neighbouring countries. But none other is more famous than Newcastle United player Nolberto Solano who is now retired from international football. Currently there is 21-year-old forward Farfan who finished second among all goalscorers in the 2006 South American World Cup qualifiers with seven goals with only Brazilian star Ronaldo tallying more with ten. Farfan plays for PSV Eindhoven and is a fine dribbler, and has since proved himself as one of the PSV’s most lethal strikers.
Farfán began his professional career with Alianza Lima of Peru, with whom he signed in 2001 at age 16. He then signed with PSV for a reported 2 million Euro transfer fee. Since making his debut for the national side in February of 2003, he has already registered more than 20 caps. He has also contributed vital goals for PSV both domestically as well as in the UEFA Champions League which saw PSV enjoying a fine run to the semi-finals of the 2004/2005 season. He was also one of the scorers in Peru’s 4-1 win over Paraguay in World Cup qualifying action.
Then there is exciting 22-year-old Bayern Munich striker Guerrero who along with Farfan, shoulders Peru’s attacking hopes and could prove a timely test for the “Soca Warriors” defense. Guerrero who goes by the nickname “Warrior” started playing soccer in the lower categories of Peruvian club Alianza Lima, where he scored more than 200 goals and is now a regular in Bayern line up.
