WEB DESK, June 12(ABC): The last two places at the World Cup finals will be decided this week, with Australia, New Zealand, Peru and Costa Rica digging into their stamina reserves for do-or-die battles.
Both international playoffs are single-leg showdowns in the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha, a 40,000 capacity venue that will host matches in the World Cup finals in the autumn.
Australia take on Peru on Monday. New Zealand face Costa Rica 24-hours later.
All four nations are used to the last-chance scrap for a World Cup place.
Four years ago Peru beat New Zealand 2-0 to clinch a slot at Russia 2018 where they beat Australia in the first round group – their first World Cup win in four decades.
Graham Arnold’s Australia are looking for a fifth straight appearance at the finals, but they needed playoffs for two of the past four and in 2006 that meant a penalty shootout against Uruguay.
Peru are ranked 22 in the world, 20 places above Australia, who beat United Arab Emirates 2-1 in the Doha stadium last week to reach the final playoff.
But Arnold plays up the Socceroos’ “underdog” status and says he has driven a never-say-die psyche into the team.
“We like people saying that we have no chance and we cannot achieve anything,” he said after the UAE win secured with an 84th minute Ajdin Hrustic goal.
“You know sometimes you don’t play well but you can still win by fighting and running, and chasing and being aggressive and that also can be a success.
“Fight, scratch and do whatever you have got to do to win the game. However we win it, who cares? Just win it,” said Arnold, who will be without injured key striker Adam Taggart.