<p class="title">Peru were dealt a shattering blow with the suspension of captain and top scorer Paolo Guerrero and their little-known squad will be motivated by a sense of injustice and determined to honour him by springing a surprise at the World Cup.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The last country to squeeze into this year’s finals via a playoff, Los Incas have been absent from the competition since 1982 and are not expected to go far.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Yet a closer look shows that their Group C opponents Australia, Denmark and France should treat Peru with a healthy respect, even though they will all expect three points after news of Guerrero’s absence for doping.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“We will without doubt miss Paolo in Russia but we are convinced that our team, with its courage and tenacity, will do Peru proud,” the Peruvian Football Federation said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Guerrero had just completed a six-month ban after testing positive for cocaine contained in a tea he drank when the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) extended the suspension, ruling him out of the World Cup.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The world players’ union FIFPro and the captains of Peru’s group rivals have appealed to FIFA to lift the ban.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Clear underdogs at 200-1 to win the World Cup, Peru are ranked 11th by FIFA and have been growing in confidence after a storming end to the two-year South American qualifiers.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A 2-2 draw away to Venezuela in March 2017 set Peru on an unbeaten run that saw them pip Chile on goal difference for fifth spot then beat New Zealand 2-0 in a two-legged playoff.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Since then, Peru have claimed two European scalps -- Croatia and Iceland -- in friendlies to prove their place at the finals was no fluke.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Even without Guerrero, Peru still boast talents such as Jefferson Farfan, a 33-year-old winger with Lokomotiv Moscow, and Renato Tapia, a self-confident 22-year-old with Feyenoord who can play in midfield or defence.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Despite Peru’s technical ability, work ethic and quick passing, beating or even holding France to a draw may be a step too far.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They should not be daunted, however, by Denmark, who also reached the World Cup via a playoff and are Peru’s first opponents at Saransk on June 16. Neither will they fear Australia in their final group game in Sochi.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“Nothing has been nor will be easy,” said Tapia, assessing Group C.</p>
<p class="title">Peru were dealt a shattering blow with the suspension of captain and top scorer Paolo Guerrero and their little-known squad will be motivated by a sense of injustice and determined to honour him by springing a surprise at the World Cup.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The last country to squeeze into this year’s finals via a playoff, Los Incas have been absent from the competition since 1982 and are not expected to go far.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Yet a closer look shows that their Group C opponents Australia, Denmark and France should treat Peru with a healthy respect, even though they will all expect three points after news of Guerrero’s absence for doping.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“We will without doubt miss Paolo in Russia but we are convinced that our team, with its courage and tenacity, will do Peru proud,” the Peruvian Football Federation said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Guerrero had just completed a six-month ban after testing positive for cocaine contained in a tea he drank when the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) extended the suspension, ruling him out of the World Cup.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The world players’ union FIFPro and the captains of Peru’s group rivals have appealed to FIFA to lift the ban.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Clear underdogs at 200-1 to win the World Cup, Peru are ranked 11th by FIFA and have been growing in confidence after a storming end to the two-year South American qualifiers.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A 2-2 draw away to Venezuela in March 2017 set Peru on an unbeaten run that saw them pip Chile on goal difference for fifth spot then beat New Zealand 2-0 in a two-legged playoff.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Since then, Peru have claimed two European scalps -- Croatia and Iceland -- in friendlies to prove their place at the finals was no fluke.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Even without Guerrero, Peru still boast talents such as Jefferson Farfan, a 33-year-old winger with Lokomotiv Moscow, and Renato Tapia, a self-confident 22-year-old with Feyenoord who can play in midfield or defence.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Despite Peru’s technical ability, work ethic and quick passing, beating or even holding France to a draw may be a step too far.</p>.<p class="bodytext">They should not be daunted, however, by Denmark, who also reached the World Cup via a playoff and are Peru’s first opponents at Saransk on June 16. Neither will they fear Australia in their final group game in Sochi.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“Nothing has been nor will be easy,” said Tapia, assessing Group C.</p>