v PERU
INTERNATIONAL MATCH 8PM, FRIDAY 30 MAY 2014 WEMBLEY STADIUM CONNECTED BY EE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME £6
GET SET ROY HODGSON’S MEN TAKE ON PERU BEFORE JETTING OFF FOR THE WORLD CUP IN BRAZIL
MATCH ZONE
BETTER LEIGH After missing out in 2010 and sitting on the sidelines in 2012, Leighton Baines hopes to gets his chance to play at a tournament
Baines relaxes during England’s training camp in Portugal
MATCH STATS
Details correct to 23.05.2014
LEIGHTON BAINES Defender ■ AGE 29 ■ DOB 11 DECEMBER 1984 ■ PLAYED 22 ■ WON 14 ■ DRAWN 5 ■ LOST 3 ■ GOALS 1 ■ BOOKINGS 0 ■ DISMISSALS 0 ■ FIRST MATCH v Egypt, 03.03.2010 ■ LAST MATCH v Chile, 15.11.2013
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LEIGHTON BAINES
TON NEVER Four years ago Leighton Baines had just broken into to the England senior set-up, making his debut against Egypt in March 2010 and was part of Fabio Capello’s extended squad preparing ahead of the World Cup. The Everton defender played the full 90 minutes in the first of two warm-up games – a 3-1 victory over Mexico at Wembley – but six days later he was left out of the side that edged a 2-1 win against Japan in Austria, with Ashley Cole playing. The next day he was omitted from Capello’s final 23-man squad that flew to South Africa in favour of Blackburn Rovers’ Stephen Warnock, who would deputise for Cole, and Baines admits watching the action from afar was not a key priority. “I saw a couple of the games and missed a couple because I was on holiday and I spent time with family,” says the 29-year-old. “It was just the turnaround of the whole thing; me first getting into the squad and then not making it. It all happened very quickly. Obviously you’re disappointed and it sets you back a little bit, but once I had a holiday and got back for pre-season, I was back to normal.” Since then, Baines’s performances for both club and country have seen him challenge the experienced Chelsea man for the number three shirt. He made it into Roy Hodgson’s group for Euro 2012 and has clocked up 22 appearances for England. Now, with Brazil on the horizon, Baines has been given the chance to take part in his first World Cup and is expected to be first-choice on the left side of the Three Lions defence. Southampton’s Luke Shaw – and not Cole – will be keeping him on his toes, and the ex-Wigan Athletic man is taking nothing for granted. “Before there was always the issue of three us of being considered, and three doesn’t go into two,” he said. “The three
that were available to the manager meant he could have picked any pairing and no one would have really questioned it. “The fact that he has chosen me and Luke is a great vote of confidence, because you know what Ash brings to the table. He is phenomenal and has had a great club and international career. It is a great vote of confidence for the both of us. “At this level the competition and quality of the people in your position right throughout is always going to be there. You have to keep on your toes and not get complacent because if you don’t do the right things then you are not going to be playing. “Things can change very quickly so I think whoever starts the first game in the tournament has to do the job otherwise they are not going to stay in the team.” Wise words from a man who has had to fight for his place in the squad, since his debut at 25. Meanwhile, Shaw has burst onto the scene after making his first-team bow for Saints as a 16-year-old. Within two years, he’d earned his senior England debut – in the victory over Denmark in March – and Baines expects him to have a bright career ahead. “He has been amazing,” says the senior man. “Luke is now at the forefront of the squad. He is going to be an England international for the next 12 to 15 years, he has an amazing future in front of him. “Luke and some of the other younger lads have been great for English football. The emergence of that young talent and the fact that Roy has been bold enough to include them in his squad is great.” And one of those young players in particular who has made Hodgson’s 23 is Baines’s Goodison Park team-mate Ross Barkley. There is also Toffees defender John Stones in the extended squad tonight as cover and Baines makes a glowing
report on the two 20-year-olds: “Ross plays with no fear, he still has that rawness when he plays that excites people, he is someone you do want to watch. He can produce special moments in a game, hence the reason he is in the squad. The stage he is at in his career, he is still developing but he has fantastic attributes – there is nothing he can’t do; he is huge, powerful, fast and you have seen his technical ability as well. He is aware he still has to learn from some of the senior lads and it is great for him to be involved around players like Frank [Lampard] and Stevie [Gerrard] who he has idolised growing up. “John is just a player that is never really flustered. He is a really good footballer, made for the international scene because he will take the ball out from the back – he rarely gives the ball away. He can start play really well and defends really well. Jags [Phil Jagielka] has been a massive player for [Everton] and he has stepped into Jags’ shoes and was unfazed by it all.” For now, though, Baines is just looking forward to what lies ahead in Brazil this summer and feels that, with Barkley, Shaw and other exciting youngsters in the squad like Raheem Sterling, Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, England are in for an enjoyable World Cup. “The young lads that have come in have brought more excitement,” he says. “Although we are not anywhere near favourites for the competition, people may be thinking ‘oh well, maybe we can do a bit better than we initially thought’. “What we are going to do now is work as hard as we can in terms of getting into the best place we can – no stone will be left unturned. We will cover all our bases, do our analysis and give ourselves the best chance to go and enjoy it. If you enjoy it then you have done well and I really want to go and enjoy it.”
“ROSS BARKLEY PLAYS WITH NO FEAR, HE STILL HAS THAT RAWNESS WHEN HE PLAYS THAT EXCITES PEOPLE, HE IS SOMEONE YOU DO WANT TO WATCH” TheFA.com
England v Peru 30 May 2014 21
MATCH ZONE
The Coach / Tactics / Team Profiles / Player interview /
PERU
La Blanquirroja have all the passion you’d expect from a South American footballing nation
AT A GLANCE COACH Pablo Bengoechea CAPTAIN Claudio Pizarro (below) HONOURS Copa America winners
1939, 1975, CONCACAF Gold Cup third place 2000
FIRST INTERNATIONAL
0-4 v Uruguay, Lima, Peru, 1 November 1927 LAST RESULT 1-1 v Bolivia, Estadio de Nacional, Lima, 16 October 2013 BIGGEST WIN 9-1 v Ecuador, Bogotá, Colombia, 11 August 1938 BIGGEST DEFEAT 0-7 v Brazil, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, 26 June 1997
A slice of history is made at Wembley tonight as Peru step out on English soil for the first time. Football in Peru, as in most of South America, can be traced back to the influence of sailors and British expats in the mid-19th century, with the capital Lima, and Callao to the west, focal points of the country’s earliest sporting ventures. The development of the game quickened with the Peruvian Football Federation’s formation in 1922 and a league in 1926. A national side competed for the first time in 1927, and followed 1929’s showing at the South American Championship with an appearance at the 1930 World Cup. Both group-stage games were lost, the first 3-1 to Romania (where Peru gained the unwanted distinction of having the first player sent off in a World Cup Finals) and a narrow 1-0 defeat to hosts and winners Uruguay. Though they landed a first Copa America in 1939, Peru had to wait until the 1970s
SQUAD NEWS THEN AND NOW…
In his first squad, manager Pablo Bengoechea has elected to go with youth. That means there is no place for captain
CLAUDIO PIZZARO, PAOLO GUERRERO and JEFFERSON FARFAN. ALBERTO RODRIGUEZ is the
squad’s most senior member and could win a 50th cap tonight. In the absence of the old guard,
ANDRÉ CARRILLO
and EDISON FLORES, 22 and 20 years old respectively, could lead the line and exciting 20-year-old winger JEAN DEZA, gets his first senior call-up after spending the season at Montpellier.
before making another significant impression on the global stage. Under the stewardship of Didi, one of the shining stars of Brazil’s 1958’s World Cup success, Peru reached the quarter-finals at Mexico in 1970, where a youthful, talented side exited 4-2 at the hands of victors Brazil, having knocked out Argentina to qualify. Having lifted the Copa America trophy again in 1975, that swashbuckling showing of 1970 was repeated at 1978’s World Cup, as Peru reached the second group stage before a controversial 6-0 defeat by Argentina. The closest to qualification since 1982 – their last Finals appearance – came in 1998, when they were ultimately denied by Chile’s better goal difference. Having finished seventh of nine teams in the South American zone’s qualification group, they won’t be in Brazil this summer. The heyday of the 1970s may seem a long way off for La Blanquirrojas’ faithful, but with a new man in charge, hope springs eternal…
MOST-CAPPED PLAYER
Roberto Palacios (128 caps), 1992-2009 Teófilo Cubillas 26 TOP SCORER Teófilo (1968-1982) FIFA RANKING 42
IN NUMBERS Peruvian football in digits
DOMESTIC LEAGUE
Peru’s Primera División (or Torneo Descentralizado de Fútbol Profesional Peruano to give it its full title) is the 16 team-strong apex of a three-tier system, most regularly won by current champions Universitario de Deportes (26 titles). The top three are entered into the Copa Libertadores, which no Peruvian side has ever won.
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19
Peru’s highest ever FIFA ranking (in July 2013)
Peru's performances at the World Cup in 1970 represent a high point for the team
4
World Cup Finals matches won by Peru. They last qualified in 1982.
4,340
Altitude in metres of Estadio Daniel Alcides Carrión, the world’s highest top-flight stadium.
30 May 2014 England v Peru 27
NOBBY SOLANO
“THIS IS A HUGE OPPORTUNITY FOR PERU’S PLAYERS”
Peru’s most famous footballing export to these shores, Nobby Solano, on his time in the Premier League and how he wishes he was out there playing tonight Everyone at some stage of their lives inevitably desires to be younger, even ex-footballers. Take Nolberto – aka Nobby – Solano, the most famous Peruvian to grace the English game, for example. “I wish I was still in my twenties and playing,” says the 39-year-old former midfielder whose composure on the ball and excellent technique saw him wear the colours of Newcastle, Aston Villa, West Ham, Leicester City and Hartlepool United with distinction. “It would mean I’d get the chance to represent Peru at Wembley. “This is a huge opportunity for the Peruvian players. We don’t get to face England every year. The last time it happened was over 50 years ago. England are always popular opposition for every country, so arranging matches against difficult. them is diffi cult. It never happened in my time, that’s why I would love to be involved now.” While facing the Three Lions at any location would be special, the fact fixture that this fi xture is taking place at Wembley only adds to the attractiveness of it for Solano. “The stadium is a big part of football’s history. Players always want to appear at the best grounds… places like the Bernabeu or Nou Camp. Wembley is definitely defi nitely one of those. It’s special. I only got to play there once, in the 1999 FA Cup Final [for Newcastle] when we lost against Manchester United. That was obviously the old Wembley. But, old or new, it doesn’t matter. Wembley is still Wembley, an amazing place.” After recently being appointed head coach of semi-professional outfit Internacional de Toronto in Canada, Solano will be unable to attend tonight’s game. However, the keen trumpet player will have friends and family present and believes the Peruvian contingent should be sizeable – and noticeable. “Our league season is just about to start here so I can’t make it over. There are lots of Peruvian people in the UK, in London in particular. I think they’ll all go to this match as it is a rare chance for them to see their country play. They’ll certainly make a lot of noise. I’m sure some of them will bring drums or maybe a trumpet!” Despite currently being based on the other
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side of the Atlantic, Solano – who was brought to St. James’ Park from Boca Juniors by Kenny Dalglish in 1998 – is still a regular viewer of the English game. “My friends and family keep me up to date on exactly what is happening. And I try to watch as many matches as possible because nowhere else compares to English football. “The season that just ended was brilliant, very exciting. To have three or four teams challenging for the title right up to the last few months was great to watch. Personally, I thought Liverpool were going to win it and wanted them to win it because it would have been good to see a different team get the trophy.” While a return to playing on these shores won’t happen for Solano, he might one day come back here in a different guise; as a manager. After initially starting coaching during his time on Tyneside, he has since been in charge of Universitario de Deportes in his homeland before his current posting. “I think the dream of any manager is to work in the Premier League one day. There are hundreds [of managers] around the world waiting for that opportunity. It is something nobody could ever refuse. The facilities are great, the crowds are loud and the players are some of the best around. I think the fact that José Mourinho wanted to return to England tells you just how good it is.” Solano understandably admires those from his own continent who have shone in England, such as Luis Suárez and Sergio Agüero. At the same time he feels some of the Premier League’s best talents will be wearing a white shirt here tonight. “England have some great players, guys like Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard. They’ll want to say goodbye to their fans in style before they go to the World Cup. So it will be very difficult for Peru. But that is what you want; to face the best players at one of the best stadiums.”
“I THINK THE DREAM OF ANY MANAGER IS TO WORK IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE ONE DAY"
YOUR WORLD CUP GUIDE
2014
With England’s first match just 15 days on the Three Lions’ opponents and the ITALY
The squad: Cesare Prandelli made some big decisions in his squad, omitting Emanuele Giaccherini, one of the stars of the Confederations Cup, and Alessandro Diamanti, so important at Euro 2012. He also left out Alberto Gilardino but included, at least on his 30-man long-list, controversial forward Antonio Cassano,
fit-again Giuseppe Rossi and Juventus centre-back Giorgio Chiellini, one day after his three-match ban for throwing an elbow at an opponent. The boss: Prandelli has restored pride in the Italy shirt by demanding his players stick to a strict moral code and ignoring them when serving a domestic ban (Chiellini aside). He has the Azzurri playing with flair and invention and the decision to extend his contract until 2016 was met with widespread relief. Masterplan: Prandelli was planning to build his side around Mario Balotelli, but his unpredictability has forced a change of plan. Prandelli is still not sure whether to play one or two up front and with Rossi not certain to start, he may opt for a front three in which Alessio Cerci and Antonio Candreva can track back to boost midfield numbers. Strengths: As he showed at Euro 2012, on his day Balotelli is unstoppable but he has not had that many days at AC Milan this season. Andrea Pirlo continues to be the star in midfield while Juventus teammate Gigi Buffon is still a rock in goal.
GROUP D The big D: (left to right) Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas, Uruguay talisman Luis Suarez and Italy boss Cesare Prandelli
36 England v Peru 30 May 2014
Arena Amazônia, Manaus v Italy
What used to be the Vivaldo Lima stadium is enjoying a new life as the spectacular Arena da Amazônia, the ground having been rebuilt from scratch between 2010 and 2013. It has been designed with the environment in mind, and its pitch will be watered with specially-collected rainwater.
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WORLD CUP 2014
RUNNERS AND RIDERS
away, here’s the inside track stadiums they’ll be playing in URUGUAY
The squad: Many familiar faces remain from the side that finished third in the 2010 World Cup – too many according to critics back in Uruguay. They point to the fact that captain Diego Lugano, who has played very little football at Paris Saint-Germain and West Brom in the last two seasons, and Diego Forlán, now playing at Cerezo Osaka, are still in the side as proof that coach Óscar Tabárez is too loyal to his 2011 Copa America champions. The boss: Coach Tabárez is eight years into his second spell in charge, but struggled during the tough CONMEBOL qualifying stage and needed a play-off win over Jordan to make it. Masterplan: Four years ago Tabárez played Edinson Cavani wide and Forlán in the middle. Forlán might start on the bench with Gastón Ramírez playing just behind Cavani and, if fit, Luis Suárez. Strengths: Unsurprisingly, Suárez is Uruguay’s most important player, though Diego Godín has had an outstanding season at the heart of the Atletico Madrid defence. Cavani has had a mixed season at PSG and will be desperate to make his mark in Brazil.
COSTA RICA
The squad: There were no major surprises in the squad though huge disappointment when it emerged that Everton wing-back Bryan Oviedo had not recovered from his broken leg in time. Much is expected of goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who has been in outstanding form for Levante this season. The boss: The Colombian coach Jorge Luis Pinto is in his second spell with Costa Rica, failing to qualify with the team in 2006. This time around they are tighter at the back and have players up front who can hurt teams. Masterplan: Costa Rica will be one of the few sides playing with three at the back, while Mainz defender Júnior Díaz is set to replace Oviedo. This team packs the midfield and gives freedom to forward players Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell, the Arsenal forward who spent last season on loan at Olympiacos. Both specialise in the unpredictable. Strengths: Luis Gabelo Conejo was the hero of Costa Rica’s 1990 World Cup success, when he shut out Sweden and Scotland to reach the last 16. This time around he is goalkeeping coach to Navas, who could become one of the stars of the tournament.
DOSSIER Arena de São Paulo, São Paulo v Uruguay
This stadium has been in the offing for many years, with top local side Corinthians having long sought a stadium of their own. They will move into the high-tech new arena after this summer’s competition. First, it will hold five World Cup games, including the curtain-raiser.
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Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte v Costa Rica
Despite a large-scale modernisation project, this ground has history. Completed in 1965, it has been home to domestic giants Atletico Mineiro, Cruzeiro and America, and has seen the first two both win the Copa Libertadores on its turf. It held a remarkable 132,834 fans when Cruzeiro hosted Villa Nova in 1997.
Group A: Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon
The hosts, led by the mercurial Neymar, open against a Croatia side without the suspended Mario Mandžukić. Mexico come to Brazil with the withdrawal of Carlos Vela, while Cameroon still rely on hero Samuel Eto’o.
Group B: Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia
Spain may give a competitive debut to Diego Costa while a young Holland side will miss the injured Kevin Strootman. Jorge Sampaoli’s Chile are a high-tempo team that are dangerous on the break. Australia have a young side and a new coach, Ange Postecoglu, looking to make his mark.
Group C: Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan
Colombia have a special generation of players, but are keeping things low-key. Ivory Coast are looking to their golden generation for the last time, Greece are typically welldrilled while Japan have an excellent front four, but need to tighten up in defence.
Group E: Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras
Surprise seeds Switzerland could cause a few upsets; the same is true of France, and coach Didier Deschamps is focusing on squad harmony. Ecuador is still coming to terms with the death of Christian Benítez while Honduras will fight to avoid bottom spot.
Group F: Argentina, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Nigeria, Iran
Now captain, Lionel Messi has finally replicated his Barcelona scoring record and Iran have had precious few friendlies since qualifying; Bosnia & Herzegovina play a relentlessly attacking formation and African champions Nigeria have a keen young side.
Group G: Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA
Germany have reached a Final and a semifinal under Joachim Löw but can go one step further. Jérôme Boateng will face his halfbrother Kevin-Prince of Ghana and USA top dog Jürgen Klinsmann faces his homeland. Portugal are led by Cristiano Ronaldo, but can he inspire his team-mates?
Group H: Belgium, South Korea, Russia, Algeria
Fabio Capello is expected to lead Russia out of this group and start against South Korea, for whom goals have been a problem. Belgium’s young talent are expected to top the group and Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodžić returns to the World Cup after being sacked by Ivory Coast before the 2010 tournament. 30 May 2014 England v Peru 37
ENGLAND ON TWITTER
FOLLOW @ENGLAND AT THE WORLD CUP Want to stay ahead of the game during the World Cup? Then follow the England team and the players on Twitter and be sure to use the hashtag #3lions Players on Twitter @BenFoster @FraseForster @GaryJCahill
@LukeShaw3 @glen_johnson @PhilJones4 @Alex_OxChambo @RBarkley20
@sterling31 @JackWilshere @D_Sturridge @WayneRooney
Here are some of your good luck messages – keep them coming! @kierendilworth: Come on @England, we’re right behind you this summer – good luck in Brazil #3lions @Luca1889: GOOD LUCK OUT THERE IN BRAZIL , MAKE US A PROUD NATION AGAIN #SPIRITOF66 @RFRyoutube: Good Luck England, it’s our time to shine under Roy! #1966 @KevMarkXLII: To the #3lions - Rise & rise again. You have a chance to become part of history. Take it, it’s yours! @dorian2120: @England if you truly believe and want success then it will come - good luck to all the squad @EricWong93: @England Good luck England! Make us a proud nation by winning the 2014 World Cup! #3lions @kumaran_hari: @England good luck and give your best in this year’s World Cup. Let us add another star to the crest. #3lions #ComeonEngland #WorldCup2014 @steve_fall: @England Come on boys do it for the pride of your country #3lions @BenJ13mufc: Good luck @England! Makes us proud! We strongly believe in you all! Let’s do this! #WorldCup2014 #3lions #1966
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