Preview: All eyes on Liverpool’s Luis Suarez in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier
Luis Suarez visibly struggled to hit his best form at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup – probably due to distraction related to unhappiness at Liverpool. The Uruguayan wanted a move to Real Madrid. At some point, he seemed close to even joining rival club Arsenal.
However, the summer transfer window shut down on Monday night and the ex-Ajax forward was not part of all the stunning last minute moves. Unlike Mesut Özil or again Marouane Fellaini, Luis Suarez did not change teams. He is still at Anfield serving his 10-match ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, last season. Consequently, he might lack match fitness.
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez will certainly ask Suarez to exhibit his mental power on his return to the field for the first time in several weeks. Besides, the manager could also count on PSG’s Edinson Cavani and the good old Diego Forlan to control the goal machine on Friday night.
“Victory [against Peru] will be a great result for us,” Tabarez told the press on Thursday. “If it’s a draw, that benefits us. If we win, I think we will draw a significant advantage because after that there are only three games left.”
Friday’s CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier presents an immense chance for Uruguay to get up and running on an all-new path. The campaign has been full of ups and downs so far and the Brazil 2014 dream is yet to be assured.
La Celeste Olimpica seats a couple of points and places above the Peruvians. Still, a five-point gap keeps them in fifth place and away from the automatic World Cup qualification zone currently occupied by leaders Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador and Chile.
Peru are strong on home soil. This is where they defeated Paraguay, Chile and Ecuador without conceding a goal. Peru also avoided defeat against Argentina in a 1-1 draw and now, they will be hosting Uruguay with the desire of winning at all cost.
As Paços de Ferreira winger Paolo Hurtado explained, “The match against Uruguay will be very difficult but we will go above and beyond for the three points.”
Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels, live scores
A thrilling show awaits spectators at the Estadio Nacional in Lima. Well, not only those in Lima but also anyone who will be watching this South American World Cup qualifier live on their computer, phone or TV screen.
Watch Peru vs Uruguay live on Friday, September 6, 2013:
In USA at 22:30 ET on: beIN Sport Play, beIN Sport en Español
Other channels featuring on LiveSoccerTV’s Peru-Uruguay match page include Al Jazeera Sport HD2 and SuperSport 3 Africa. Visit it for worldwide live stream and TV listings. You can also follow the match with live scores from 22:30 ET (2:30am GMT on September 7, 2013).
