Guide to Socceroos v Peru
SOCCEROOS v PERU
Fisht Stadium, Sochi
June 24 - 5pm kick-off (local), 12:00 midnight (AEST)
AUSTRALIA
Coach: Bert van Marwijk
Captain: Mile Jedinak
Rank: 36
PERU
Coach: Ricardo Gareca
Captain: Paolo Guerrero
Rank: 11
THE FORM
Australia harbour a chance of staying on at the World Cup and Peru is already out but the two nations have played some sparking stuff in Russia. How Peru's Christian Cueva must rue his missed penalty against Denmark, which would have put the South Americans ahead in Saransk. Pedro Aquino hit the post against France in another 1-0 loss. Australia were unlucky against France and ran all over the Danes without scoring a winner.
THE STAKE
For Australia, a place in the last 16. For Peru, pride. And that's dangerous for the Socceroos given the passion that Gareca's side have already shown in Russia. The South Americans have dedicated their performance to the tens of thousands of fans that have flooded the country for their first tournament in 36 years. Australia are hoping to sneak second place in the group with a win, but will only do so if France also beat Denmark with a goal difference swing between the two games of three.
THE CAPTAINS
Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak is one of the reasons his Peruvian counterpart Paolo Guerrero at the World Cup. The 34-year-old talismanic forward was handed a drugs ban for ingesting cocaine while drinking tea. Both FIFA and WADA found it to be accidental and not performance enhancing until a late appeal overturned his suspension. Jedinak, France captain Hugo Lloris and Denmark leader Simon Kjaer co-signed a letter requesting clemency.
THE INJURIES
Australia lost Andrew Nabbout to a dislocated shoulder late in the match against Denmark, with the 25-year-old unlikely to be seen again this tournament. In will come Tomi Juric - unless van Marwijk gives a start to Jamie Maclaren or Tim Cahill. Peru are set to be without two key men in their starting side. Jefferson Farfan was concussed in training on Saturday while centre back Alberto Rodriguez was substituted at halftime against France.
