England v Peru preview

Posted by: Ray Pilares in Sports May 30, 2014 418 Views

England will be hoping to sign off at Wembley on a positive note

England’s final fixture on home soil ahead of this summer’s World Cup sees them take on Peru at Wembley Stadium.

Friday’s clash in the capital will also represent the final opportunity for Roy Hodgson to cast an eye over his squad before settling on a 23-man party for Brazil.

He has already called upon those he feels are best equipped to lead a charge for global glory, so only injuries will alter his plans at this late stage.

England will be hoping to avoid any untimely setbacks, having seen their preparations for Hodgson’s first major tournament at the helm – Euro 2012 – ravaged by fitness issues.

The Three Lions will also be looking to give a loyal fan base something to shout about and offer cause for optimism as they endeavour to end 48 years of international hurt.

Leaning heavily on those who enjoyed standout domestic campaigns in 2013/14 would appear to be the way forward, with Liverpool’s Premier League exploits – which carried them agonisingly close to the Premier League title – rewarded with five selections (Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge).

Champions Manchester City fill two places in the squad (Joe Hart and James Milner), as do Chelsea (Gary Cahill and Frank Lampard) and FA Cup winners Arsenal (Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain), while eye-catching showings from Southampton and Everton have resulted in Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka and Ross Barkley getting the nod.

There is no getting away from the fact that Hodgson has selected a youthful and inexperienced squad, but there is enough energy, pace and creative potential within the ranks to suggest that England have picked the ideal time in which to bring through a new generation of talent.

Piecing everything together in time for an opening showdown with Italy on June 14 is now the name of the game, with a settled XI required before heading into the stifling Amazon heat of Manaus.

A meeting with Peru will see the first step taken down that path, before Hodgson’s men head for North America and further friendly dates with Ecuador and Honduras.

With England due to face Uruguay and Costa Rica in Group D this summer, getting accustomed to the methods of Southern and Central American foes is imperative – and there will be no excuses after working hard to put the best possible preparation fixtures in place.

The time for talking is almost over and England know they now have to start doing the business on the field and start building the momentum which could carry them to a first world crown since 1966.

England

Southampton full-back Shaw is the only doubt for England, so may have to wait a little longer before adding to his solitary senior cap.

The 18-year-old is nursing a cold and will not be rushed back into action unnecessarily.

Hodgson has reported no other injury concerns, so Liverpool midfielder Gerrard will be expected to lead a side which will likely offer important game time to Arsenal pair Wilshere and Oxlade-Chamberlain as they work their way back to full match fitness following late-season knocks.

Peru

Peru will be under the guidance of coach Pablo Bengoechea for the first time, with changes in the dugout made on the back of a winless run which now stretches back 12 months.

Bengoechea has been handed a short-term deal until December, so will be eager to show that he is deserving of an extended stay at the helm.

The Uruguayan has opted to mix things up for his international bow, with the vast of experience of Bayern Munich’s Claudio Pizarro and Corinthians’ Jose Paolo Guerrero overlooked in favour of a young set of strikers that includes potential debutants Jean Deza and Miguel Trauco.

Match facts

England have met Peru twice before, losing 4-1 in their first meeting in May 1959 and then beating them 4-0 in May 1962. Both games were played in Peru.
England have scored just once in their last three friendlies contested at Wembley Stadium.
The last team to beat England in a warm-up match for an international tournament were Uruguay in May 1990 (W14 D8).