After a 4 month hiatus the UFWC Title Matches come thick and fast with another taking place later Today as holders Uruguay take on challengers Peru in Montevideo. The title match also doubles up as the 6th out of the 18th South American Qualifiers that the 10 competing nations will have to take part in if they are to make it all the way to Russia in 2018.
Uruguay’s first title defence after beating Chile in November for the UFWC crown took place on Friday night against Brazil and they managed to claw back a draw after going 2-0 down. Goals from Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez made sure that they weren’t to lose the title at the first time of asking
They go into this title defence against Peru as clear favourites and currently find themselves 2nd in the group standings behind surprise unbeaten leaders Ecuador. Meanwhile challengers Peru haven’t had the best of starts and find themselves in 8th place and more importantly 4 points off of a qualification spot.
Last time out Peru could only manage a draw at Home to qualification group basement side Venezuela. It took a 94th minute equaliser from Rual Ruidiaz to rescue a point and deny Venezuela a first win of the qualification competition.
If Uruguay win or draw then their next title match will be a pre Copa America friendly at home to Trinidad and Tobago while if Peru can pull off a relative upset then as it stands their first title defence will be their first game of the Copa America where they will face an even smaller minnow in the form of Haiti.
The smart money would obviously be on Uruguay here, although that said Peru really need a win to make sure they aren’t case too far adrift from the qualification places. I’ll bring you a review of the game on Wednesday.