LIMA, June 10 (Reuters) - Peru, thumped 4-0 by Mexico in a
friendly on Sunday, were jeered and insulted on returning to
Lima airport while President Alan Garcia said he was ashamed of
their performance.
Peruvian media on Tuesday also said that coach Jose del
Solar was set to quit the team, although they said it was not
clear whether he would leave before or after the World Cup
qualifiers against Colombia on Saturday and Uruguay three days
later.
A video clip on the Web site of El Comercio on Tuesday showed the players
filing out of the arrivals hall at Lima airport under a chorus
of whistles and insults after arriving late on Monday night.
President Garcia joined the criticism when he told
reporters: 'It was a disgrace, let me cover my face. Terrible,
terrible.'
Peru capitulated against the Mexicans as they found
themselves 4-0 down in 28 minutes. They were spared further
humiliation because Mexico eased up.
The performance has added to the pessismism about the team's
chances of qualifying for their first World Cup since 1982.
Peru, once considered one of South America's top footballing
nations but now seen as one of the weakest, have taken two
points from four games in the South American qualifying
competition.
In their last outing, they gave an abject display when they
lost 5-1 to Ecuador in November.
Four of the team's leading players -- strikers Claudio
Pizarro, Jefferson Farfan and Andres Mendoza and defender
Santiago Acasiete -- were later given 18-month international
bans for indiscipline.
They were accused of holding a party at the team hotel
following a 1-1 draw at home to Brazil and three days before the
Ecuador match.
Del Solar has been criticised for his handling of the affair
and was under fire again on Sunday when he failed to face the
media following the game in Chicago.
Team captain Nolberto Solano said after the game: 'The only
consolation was that it was friendly match. Playing like this,
we can't even think about going to the World Cup.'
Peru host Colombia in Lima on Saturday and visit Uruguay in
Montevideo three days later.
