Following Ireland’s humiliation at the hands of Denmark last night only one spot remains up for grabs at next year’s World Cup in Russia with Peru and New Zealand due to meet in the early hours for it.
The sides played out a 0-0 draw in Wellington on Saturday before having to make the over 6,500-mile journey to Lima for the second leg later this evening and it would seem that Peruvian fans will do anything to see their team make the tournament – and we mean anything!
That includes a lot of dark arts, as they proved since New Zealand arrived in the South American country.
The All Whites flight into Lima was delayed 3 hours, by which time all media had left. There was no side-door exit. They walked out main entrance. Anthony Hudson then spent 10 minutes answering questions in Spanish at team hotel @Gordon_Watson @NZ_Football pic.twitter.com/wkkZpJImMm
— Jason Pine (@pineynz) November 13, 2017
So far the All-Whites have had to endure a delayed flight, some suspiciously long bus rides from their hotel in Miraflores to the Estadio Nacional for training, being cursed by shamans and witchdoctors with snakes, their bus getting stuck in the stadium entrance and now a series of fireworks being left outside their hotel in the very early hours of the morning.
Lima will truly be a cauldron for the underdogs tonight, but at least they have proof of the fireworks after a video emerged of them being set off outside the JW Marriott hotel they are staying in.
All Whites bus too tall to enter Stadium for training. I’m not making this up @radiosportnz @nzheraldsport pic.twitter.com/fb5PEc3LrK
— Jason Pine (@pineynz) November 14, 2017
Let’s just say if Peru don’t qualify it won’t be for lack of effort! If you want a full run down of what’s happened to New Zealand then Sky Sport NZ commentator Jason Pine is well worth a follow on Twitter.
Lima, 2.51am. Massive explosion of fireworks in the sky directly above the All Whites’ team hotel.
— Jason Pine (@pineynz) November 15, 2017
Check out the video of the fireworks incident below:
Net all your football punts at PaddyPower.comPeru fans 'welcoming' NZ ahead of their WCQ..with fireworks outside the NZ hotel at 3:30a😳 Never change, South America..
📹: @aaroncordova90 pic.twitter.com/RYz3NJTE8E
— COPA90 US (@Copa90US) November 15, 2017