10 Nov 2017

All Whites and Peru all set for World Cup playoff showdown

8:25 am on 10 November 2017

The All Whites will have to overcome a team ranked 112 places higher than them if they're to qualify for the World Cup finals for the third time.

There hasn't been a lot for the All Whites to celebrate in recent times, with their world ranking dropping to 150, just ahead of Lesotho and Afghanistan.

There hasn't been a lot for the All Whites to celebrate in recent times, with their world ranking dropping to 150, just ahead of Lesotho and Afghanistan. Photo: Photosport

New Zealand play Peru in the opening leg of the Intercontinental World Cup qualifier in Wellington on Saturday, with the second leg in Lima next week.

Local fans are cautious about the prospect of the All Whites reaching Russia next year.

In 2009, the All Whites ended 28 years in the World Cup wilderness by beating Bahrain in their play-off at the same ground.

While that was quite an achievement, the prospect of doing the same this time is probably more difficult.

Peru have made the finals four times, but their last was in 1982, since then they've gone through some tough times and fell to number 82 in the world in 2008.

However since then they've risen up the rankings and under the guidance of Argentinean coach Ricardo Gareca, just missed out on automatic qualification for Russia.

The All Whites celebrate a goal against Fijji in their Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier.

The All Whites celebrate a goal against Fijji in their Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Carlos Gonzales is a Peruvian who now lives in Wellington and he says while New Zealanders may be passionate about their All Blacks, it doesn't compare to Peru's football fans.

"I would says it's strong than rugby to New Zealand, the football over there you get fanatics, we play football in the streets, I'm amazed when I see here green fields and no one is playing on them, over there we have to fight for them."

The excitement surrounding Peruvian games and their fans should be evident at Westpac Stadium, however the All Whites defender Andrew Durante doesn't expect any visiting fans to make more noise than the locals.

"I'm expecting the New Zealand crowd to definitely overshadow anything they can produce, and it's going to be a special night. I was in the stands for the Bahrain game, the people of New Zealand come out in force, wearing all white, making as much noise as possible and it's pretty special... Westpac Stadium full, we've seen it a few times and it's a special place."

Rory Fallon in action for the All Whites

Rory Fallon in action for the All Whites Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Striker Rory Fallon was the goal scoring hero against Bahrain eight years ago and while he says it's time for this team to move on from that success, he says a similar cauldron of excitement will help the homeside.

"You don't get that atmosphere in New Zealand, in any type of code. It was an unbelievable experience and we could achieve that now. All we need is a good night and for them to have a bad night, cause if we get something out of that, whether it be a nil-nil or whatever, we can go to Peru and think, this is it.

A record crowd of 38 thousand is expected at Westpac Stadium, hoping for further World Cup success is local fan Andy, who like many New Zealand supporters is cautious about a win this time.

"A draw would be a fantastic result for the Kiwis, Peru are a great side, they don't become number 10 for nothing. If we can hold them to a draw and we snatch a goal over there, game on, pressure is on them."

That pressure is possibly the All Whites best chance, Peru are expected to win.

How will they respond? All Whites defender Tommy Smith has his ideas.

"The expectation weighs on them, it's a burden they have to carry and I think we're prepared for that, we know what they're going to offer and we think if we can get on top at home especially the pressure might get to them."

Winston Reid in action for the All Whites.

Winston Reid in action for the All Whites. Photo: Photosport

So at least a draw is a possibility in Wellington, but Gonzales says the All Whites will know what a hostile environment is when they play in Lima in the return leg next week.

The All Whites-Peru tie is one of seven matchups over the next week that will decide the final makeup for next years World Cup in Russia.