Fans turned up in the hundreds to catch a glimpse of the Peru football team arriving back at their hotel after their training session tonight in Wellington.
The passionate group of all ages have travelled from all over the world for tomorrow's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier. Tooting horns, beating drums, "Peru" chants and red and white flags filled Bolton Street.
Peruvian Gustavo Guarniz says the game will bring the country to a standstill tomorrow.
"This is the biggest game ever in the last 35 years," he said.
Mr Guarniz and his friend Alex Saavedra have been waiting their whole lives for this moment, they said. They've travelled from New York for the game.
"It's nice to finally be on the verge of qualifying for our first World Cup," Mr Saavedra said.
They think the Peru team has the advantage as the expected winners, with experience against competitive teams like Argentina and Brazil and with a better skill set than the All Whites.
When the team did arrive back, energy from the crowd peaked while players quickly exited the bus and made their way through a path among the fans into the hotel.
The crowd were still chanting and dancing in the street long after the team was inside.
A friendly game between the fans is taking place at 8pm at Wellington College.
SHARE ME