Ecuador to attack from outset against Argentina, says coach

Ecuador will be playing to win their final World Cup qualifier against Argentina, despite being out of contention for a place in next year's tournament, according to coach Jorge Celico.

An Ecuador victory at their Atahualpa stadium in Quito on Tuesday would likely leave Argentina without a Word Cup place for the first time since 1970.

"We're not going to change our style," Celico told a press conference. "We have to go out and attack from the outset without giving the opponents a chance, especially against a team as powerful as Argentina. They are difficult to beat."

Ecuador will miss football's main event for only the second time since 1998, having won just six of their 17 qualifiers to date in the current CONMEBOL tournament.

The top four teams in the South American zone group will earn an automatic ticket to Russia while the fifth-ranked side will book a playoff spot.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)