Peruvian National Team's Coach

The coach Ricardo Gareca is excited about maintaining the level that the Peruvian national team showed in the 2015 Copa America in Chile in the South American qualifiers for the 2018 Russia World Cup and consolidating this team as one of the strongest.

The Argentine coach leading Peru spoke to Directv Sports at the end of the draw, which took place at the Konstantin Palace in Saint Petersburg. He assured that the first game of the competition, against Colombia in Barranquilla, will be difficult.

Game against Colombia: It will be tough in Barranquilla against Colombia, but in any case, all of the qualifying matches are complicated.

Copa America vs Qualifiers: We are aware that it is a completely different tournament from a qualifier. You have to be consolidated as a national team, and that is our challenge.

Excitement over the third place in Chile: There are things that one cannot control. We manage the internal aspects, we are completely convinced about what we want. It is a circumstance legitimately earned, no one gave us a hand in any aspect, everything was the result of our effort, but the qualifier will be completely different.

Change in the qualifier draw: Regardless of who the draw could favor, it seems very transparent to me.

Closing the qualifier at home: It is important to have the possibility of a qualifier's definition at home.

Play-off spot against Oceania: I don't know if it will be easy. The expectation this afternoon is to not have to reach that instance; however, we must consider it because it is very important.

Peru a tough opponent in the qualifier: We must consolidate ourselves as a national team, although it is difficult to do so.

Home venue: The venue in Lima remains the same.