PORTO ALEGRE (Brazil): Peru coach Ricardo Gareca praised his side for overcoming adversity after they reached the Copa America final with a 3-0 win over defending champions Chile.
Peru were completely transformed from the meek outfit that were thrashed 5-0 by Brazil in their final group stage match as goals from Edison Flores, Yoshimar Yotun and Paolo Guerrero carried them to a first final since 1975.
“We’ve come through some tough moments in the Copa and we deserve to be in the final,” said the Argentine coach.
“We managed to overcome the huge adversity that was this defeat to Brazil that was hastily judged and provoked a wave of harsh criticism,” he said in a pointed rebuke to the Peruvian press.
Captain Guerrero, whose cool finish in injury time put the gloss on an impressive performance said there was still work to do.
“It was a derby against Chile, a difficult match, we prepared well and won it very well,” he said.
“We kept our concentration and we’re in the final. Now we have to work hard and think about Brazil. It will be a very difficult final.”– AFP
