BARRIO – Australia and Peru are set to face off in Qatar Today (2pm EST) in a game Peru’s captain Pedro Gallese has termed the “match of our lives”, with the winners assured a place in the World Cup 2022.
Australia, nicknamed the “Socceroos”, come into the playoff finale on the heels of a nail-biting 2-1 win against the United Arab Emirates last week which earned them a spot in the decider on Monday.
Meanwhile, Peru finished fifth in the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) World Cup group, giving them one final shot at qualification for the World Cup that takes place in Qatar from November 21 this year.
Last week, Peru beat New Zealand in a warmup game in Barcelona, raising the team’s hopes of emulating that result on Monday.
A public holiday has been announced by the Peruvian government on Monday, anticipating that much of the country will be keenly following the game that kicks off at 1pm Peru time.
The only previous game the two countries have played against each other was in the 2018 World Cup in Russia where Peru registered a 2-0 win.
Monday’s winners will be placed in Group D which includes France, Denmark and Tunisia.