Ecuador will seek against Paraguay the point it needs to go to Qatar

The Ecuadorian team will seek to get against Paraguay the 'hoot' it needs to secure its pass to the World Cup in Qatar while the host was left out of all options.

The key game for the penultimate playoff date will be played at the “Antonio Aranda” stadium in Ciudad del Este (border with Brazil and Argentina) and is scheduled for 9:30pm local time (23h30 GMT).

Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro announced that his team “will not go out to speculate” and that he will follow the same pace that he applied in all his previous commitments to place third (25 points) in the South American qualifier, behind Brazil (39) and Argentina (35), both already qualified.

- Ecuador in search of the golden point -

The “golden point” that he is trying to take away from the Guaraníes could be complicated if he is alarmed by the warning of his compatriot who directs the Albirroja, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who said that Paraguay “will enter to win” and thus say goodbye to his public who has already turned his back and who would not be surprised by a new defeat.

If it does not resolve it now, the last date becomes more complex because it will face Lionel Messi's Argentina in Quito on Tuesday, while its competitors, Uruguay (22) and Peru (21), Chile (19) and Colombia (17) form a tight line to hide its advantageous position in the last breath.

“Ecuador did enough merit to depend on no one,” Alfaro said.

“I am on the verge of being able to fulfill a dream, which is to be able to play a World Cup. It will be the most significant event of my 30-year career,” said the counselor on the eve of the decisive duel.

The Ecuadorian national team, hit by the absence of some of its figures, will not count for this match with Moisés Caicedo, Alan Franco and winger Gonzalo Plata, due to suspension.

Among the injured and in doubt are Romario Ibarra and his goalscorer Enner Valencia.

- Paraguay will test players -

In the Paraguayan camp, Barros Schelotto wants to give it his mark and announces that he will mix youth players and players who were not called to this tie as part of the new process for future competitions.

The match will be played under the orders of Venezuelan referee Jesús Valenzuela, assisted on the lines by compatriots Jorge Urrego and Tulio Moreno.

Alignments:

Paraguay: Antony Silva - Robert Rojas, Gustavo Gomez, Roberto Fernández, Omar Alderete - Richard Ortiz, Mathias Villasanti, Marcos Gomez, Oscar Romero - Miguel Almirón and Angel Romero. DT: Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

Ecuador: Hernan Galindez - Byron Castillo, Piero Hincapie, Felix Torres, Pervis Estupiñan - Geyson Mendez, Carlos Grueso, Angel Mena, Jeremy Sarmiento - Enner Valencia and Michel Estrada. DT: Gustavo Alfaro.

Thro/ol