LIMA, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Defender Erick Noriega said Peru's younger players are ready to take on greater responsibility after the national team's failure to qualify for next year's FIFA World Cup.

A 1-0 home defeat to Paraguay on Tuesday left Peru with 12 points from 18 games, its lowest total since the South American qualifiers adopted the home-and-away format for the 1998 World Cup.

"It's a difficult time for us and we are hurting just as much as the fans," Noriega told reporters. "We have to face the situation and turn things around. We young players know that we each have a role to play. We have to focus on doing well for our clubs and bring that form to the national team."

Veterans Carlos Zambrano, Luis Advincula and Miguel Trauco are among those expected to step aside before the next qualifying campaign, though Noriega denied knowledge of any farewell plans.

"Nobody has spoken about retirement," the 23-year-old Gremio center-back said. "Obviously, we are young, but we're already a part of the national team and that is important. For now, we have to work hard to support the older players as much as we can." ■