David Weiner, Australian journalist, after Peru's role in the 2018 World Cup: “Any occasion against a South American is a fierce competition”

Currently, the Peruvian national team is in fifth place with 21 points. That is, he would agree to play the World Cup repechage against a national team from Asia.

At the moment, the Australian national team is in the first choice to be Peru's rival in the 2022 World Cup playoff in Qatar. Those led by Australia's Graham Arnold secured third place in Group B of the Asian Qualifiers despite losing 2-0 to Japan, given that they have 15 points and are unattainable for Oman, fourth with 11 points in the absence of a date.

That is why Infobae contacted David Weiner, Head of Digital Content, A-Leagues (Australia) to give us details about the present of his selection and tell the feelings of his compatriots after their participation in the Asia Qualifiers heading to Qatar 2022

Tell us a little about, what opinion did the Australian moment leave you in the Qualifiers?

This is the most fragile mood that has been around the national team for a long time. Fan confidence is low. The last time Australia was not at the FIFA World Cup was in 2002, and there is a genuine fear that we will not be in Qatar.

I read that Australia has suffered significant casualties in these recent games, what happened?

At a time of great importance, Australia has been unlucky with injuries, especially with Tom Rogic, Aaron Mooy, Adam Taggart and Jackson Irvine for this camp, and Harry Souttar in the long run. These are crucial players on a team where depth is already an issue.

Even one player from the Australian national team gave up being called up because he got married, what happened?

Melbourne City striker Jamie Maclaren's wedding has been postponed several times due to COVID lockdowns in Australia in recent years. However, their decision not to travel to Saudi Arabia as a result of their rescheduled wedding has polarized opinion and generated criticism from some former Socceroos who are now experts.

On paper Australia is the favorite to reach the repechage with the fifth of Conmebol, do you see it like that?

Not necessarily. The United Arab Emirates eliminated Australia from the 2019 Asian Cup and although they have split from Bert van Marwijk, a single match in the Middle East is not something that benefits Australia. This position comes from poor results against Oman, China and a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia at home, so it is no guarantee that Australia will reach the intercontinental play-off.

Peru has great chances of reaching the playoffs, since it depends on them, do you know anything about Peru and its players?

Of course. We remember Peru well from the 2018 World Cup. While the names on paper do not carry the same weight of club football as others in South America, we know that any occasion against a South American is a fierce competition, and we saw how he reached the play-off for third place in the Copa America last year.

Do you think it was a good decision for Australia to play in Asia for the playoffs? I ask about the long hours of travel and that is a physical strain.

Yes, this decision happened more than 15 years ago and changed the history of Australian football. During this time we have played more matches and we have been exposed to all the different football conditions. Yeah, it's been logistically very difficult because of the off-field tests,

Australia could have integrated more into the Asian region, but the motivation for moving to Asia, a great political achievement, was for us to earn our place in the World Cup and no longer face a lottery to be in the World Cup through Oceania. You may remember in 2002 and 2006, the play-offs against Uruguay.

Are you satisfied with the work of Australian coach Graham Arnold and how is his relationship with his players?

Graham Arnold's position is under heavy scrutiny at the moment. At one point in this campaign, Australia was on a record unbeaten streak. But when the big tests came, the squad failed. It is very difficult to coach the Australian national team: the distances covered and the time spent together are very small. But the team has little confidence, and the tactics and selections are being questioned. It wouldn't be a surprise if I wasn't in charge of the play-offs.

On the streets of Sydney, how are you experiencing your team's participation in these qualifiers for Qatar?

The preparation for the 2-0 defeat to Japan was the least thrilled thing I can remember for such a big game. There was a sense of inevitability before the ball was kicked. The results, lack of depth and performance are forcing some very big reflections on Australian football right now.

Do you think they have a better squad than the fifth in South America?

I think Australia should always aspire not to fear the fifth in South America, and as we saw in 2005 against Uruguay, or against Chile at the 2014 World Cup, aim to match them by physicality, technique and ambition. For the time being, 'the Socceroos' would have to be at their best to eliminate the fifth in South America.

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