Venezuela and Peru are facing off for a heavily contested spot in the top four of their division to gain entrance to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Both teams just barely sit on the outskirts of the big show, trailing a few points behind a fourth-place spot. Venezuela was once holding a prime spot in the top four, but has since been bumped down to sixth, trailing Uruguay by five points with three games left to go in qualifying. The teams risk eliminiation if their respective showings prove to be unfavorable. Venezuela is now in a must-win situation. A victory could mean the team would accrue 22 points, but a loss along with a draw in the Uruguay-Colombia match means certain elimination.
Peru is also in a tight spot with only 14 points and few games to go. Though the squad's coach said he is not ready to call it quits, there is little that can be said or done by this side to lock in a place in the World Cup. If everything goes according to plan, Peru can top out with 23 points. However, a loss Tuesday night along with a win from Uruguay in its match against Colombia would drop the team from the competition.
Where and when to watch: The Venezuela vs. Peru match will take place at 7:55 p.m. Tuesday. Fans looking to watch a live stream of the match online can do so by following this link. Al Jazeera sport will also be streaming live coverage of the match.
Preview - Peru: A crushing loss against Uruguay all but dashed the hopes of Peru to qualify. The team is just two points behind Venezuela and desperately needs to pull it together to allow the team to advance. The team has now lost two consecutive qualifying matches, but it may be able to lift itself up to defeat Venezuela. During the two teams' last meeting, Peru came from behind to take Venezuela down a peg, ultimately defeating them 2-1. Striker Claudio Pizarro, who also plays for Bayern Munich, has proven himself a formidable adversary, and could by crucial in guiding his struggling team to victory. Jefferson Faran, however, will likely be the hero should Peru be able to get a grip on the game.
Preview - Venezuela: Venezela being so close to at least a playoff, which is what the fifth spot to get them, the squad will be energized and primed to take out Peru. They arrive at the match a little wounded after its crushing loss to Chile, 3-1, during its last qualifier. Jose Rondon is currently Venezuela's top goal-scorer, with four goals total during qualifying. Venezuela will look to him and the guidance of forward Rubin Kazan to maintain the pressure and perhaps send the team to its first ever World Cup. With the team already on the cusp, it is likely that it will be able to summon the strength to defeat the weakened Peru and move forward.
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