Alfaro said that they will try to collect between three and four points in the duels against Brazil and Peru to maintain the direct classification.
Ecuador, with 23 points, six more than its immediate pursuers, will seek to qualify for the 2022 Qatar World Cup on this double date, but its coaching staff and players say they are not confident prior to the matches against Brazil, next Thursday and against Peru, on February 1.
The coach of the Tri, the Argentine Gustavo Alfaro, said that they will try to collect between three and four points to maintain the direct classification in the next four dates, before thinking about other results.
However, Alfaro and his players were full of doubts and shocks a few days before the crucial match on January 27, due to the contagion of COVID-19 and the injuries of several of their figures, doubts and fears that were reduced with the improvement of those affected.
Therefore, the players and coaching staff have asked journalists and fans to “keep restraint”, as they are aware that each of the four games, against Brazil, Peru, Paraguay and Argentina, “will be complex and difficult” to feel like winners.
Alfaro began the team’s training sessions last Monday with 11 players and will increase them from Monday, most likely with the full group of 28 players, although attacker Ángel Mena is in doubt due to an injury with the Mexican León.
The long-awaited Ecuadorian classification could even be given by other results between January 27 and February 1, or in the last two dates where it will come into play until the goal, a very favorable difference so far for Ecuador, which has +10.
In addition to Ecuador and Brazil, they will face each other from next Thursday: Colombia-Peru; Chile-Argentina; Paraguay-Uruguay and Bolivia will visit Venezuela.
The date of February 1, Peru-Ecuador; Argentina-Colombia; Uruguay-Venezuela; Bolivia-Chile and Brazil-Paraguay.
On the penultimate date, set for March 24: Ecuador will visit Paraguay; Chile to Brazil; Uruguay will receive Peru; Colombia will host Bolivia and Argentina-Venezuela.
The last date of the South American qualifiers will close on March 29 as follows: Ecuador-Argentina; Chile-Uruguay; Peru-Paraguay; Venezuela-Colombia and Bolivia-Brazil. (D)
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