Del Solar longs for triumph

Peru coach denied he's thinking of facing Argentina with the aim of clinching a draw. "We've already lost a lot of points," he said.
"We'll go for the triumph against Argentina because we've lost a lot of points so far; in our case, earning one point means nothing," Peru coach Jose del Solar admitted. They rank antepenultimate at the South American Qualifiers standings.

Del Solar denied they will meet Argentina "with the aim of clinching a draw", said that they will try to profit from the chances they might have, in addition to "taking the necessary measures" for this tough match.

He remarked that pressure on Lionel Messi won't be as oppressive as Luis Reyna's mark on Diego Maradona during a Qualifiers game in 1986 because "soccer changed a lot since then, and any referee would allow that."

"I think every player feels a different motivation when they must challenge teams like Argentina; it would be nice to meet the Olympic champion," Del Solar added.

Puebla player Walter Vilchez attended Peru practice on Monday; he received a last-minute call after Alberto Rodriguez got suspension for double yellow card. Del Solar must announce whether injured Nolberto Solano and Paolo de la Haza would be in the lineup to face Argentina.

If Peru defeat Argentina, each player will earn a $6,000 prize, according to World Cup committee member Jose Mallqui.


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