Peru captain Paolo Guerrero has promised to give his Australian counterpart Mile Jedinak "a big hug" before Tuesday's match between the teams as a thank you for his personal support in overturning Guerrero's drug suspension.
Although he was given a 14-month ban after testing positive for a cocaine byproduct contained in a tea, Guerrero was allowed to play in the tournament partly because the captains of Group C rivals Australia, France and Denmark appealed on his behalf.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. "I haven't had the chance to thank him personally," Guerrero said on Monday, the day before Australia and Peru meet in Sochi. "I hope to do that before the match tomorrow and I hope we can chat. I am so, so terribly grateful to him.
"As with any footballers, I think we have to support each other and I hope to give him a big hug and thank him personally."
The usual news conference a day before the game was marked by tributes to coach Ricardo Gareca.
The Argentine has become a hero in Peru after taking them to their first World Cup Finals in 36 years and their early elimination did nothing to sour his relationship with the Peruvian journalists who lauded their coach.
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