Ricardo Gareca utilizes the last days of December to plan friendly matches for the Peruvian National Team before the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Afterwards, a well-deserved vacation awaits, but before that, the coach spoke to La Voz newspaper in Argentina about the qualification and what awaits us in the World Cup.

Why did Peru qualify? they asked the coach of the national team, and this was his response: "Because the opportunity presented itself. After the Centennial Cup, we expanded the call-ups to include other players who hadn't had the chance. We didn't focus so much on the place as on the player. From there, a strong and solid group began to emerge. We noticed that it was growing, maturing."

"The fact that we called up new players filled them with confidence. The team began to have good performances against very good national teams, and little by little, we noticed that the team was becoming more consolidated. We were one of the few coaching staffs that started and finished the qualifying process. Seeing so many changes in the other teams, keeping ourselves in contention was something that increased our chances of qualifying. Even if it seemed distant, we always focused on the objective," he added.

This is what the coach of the Peruvian National Team said about the group we were drawn into for the 2018 World Cup: "We got an interesting group. It's difficult, of course. But I like it. We are in a position to make a good impression. Both Denmark and Australia entered through the playoffs like us. France is the favorite to win the group and also the World Cup."

Paolo Guerrero became a topic of conversation again. "We have to wait for him because there will be an appeal and maybe he can play. If he is not available, it will be a significant absence. We will manage with other alternatives," he said.

Where does this qualification rank in terms of World Cups? "I don't put one thing above another. When you manage a national team, the country is involved. When you manage a club team, only its fans are involved. Here, the whole country was involved. It was very emotional. Internationally, it is one of the most important achievements. But I value everything I have achieved. Because it's difficult to succeed," he responded.

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IN ARGENTINA I HAVE ALSO BEEN VALUED

"Results are important. The fact that I have done well here in Peru or achieved an important goal doesn't mean that I haven't been valued in Argentina as well. I have nothing to say. I have experienced both situations where things have gone well and poorly. It is part of a coach's learning process. It is my turn to experience this moment, which is significant because of the amount of time we hadn't participated in a World Cup. They have treated me well and with respect in Argentina,"

Ricardo Gareca also spoke about the possibility of coaching the Argentine National Team. He said that it is the goal of every working coach. "Along the way, that possibility arises very few times. Argentina is looking for a coach and you are chosen. To coach the Peruvian national team, we have prepared ourselves. To be at that level, you have to prepare and have the mentality to be up to the challenge," he said.

"Leading a national team is what I wanted and what we wanted. There has to be a very particular coincidence. The moment has to be precise, like the place. A series of circumstances have to come together because there are great coaches waiting for their opportunity in the country and in the world. People who have the capacity. I see it as something very difficult. I have prepared myself for this moment and I have that tranquility. That's all I can say," he reflected.

Ediscon Flores in his neighborhood of Collique. (Instagram)