In the absence of four dates, he is third with 23 points, six more than Colombia, fourth in the table.
Ecuador will receive Brazil this Thursday, without Neymar, with the fixed idea of taking away the undefeated record at the height of Quito (2,850 meters above sea level) and if it is possible to leave everything ready to celebrate on Friday in style.
“I would like to qualify in a big way, I would like to beat Brazil,” said the coach of Ecuador, the Argentine Gustavo Alfaro.
The Tricolor’s chances of qualifying (third in the pre-world championship) are very high. In the absence of four dates, he is third with 23 points, six more than Colombia, fourth in the table. The first two quotas were obtained by Brazil and Argentina, both without defeats.
South America has four direct tickets to Qatar and the fifth will play a playoff with a team from Asia.
But of course Brazil is never an easy nut to crack: they have won 11 games in the tie and the other two they drew 0-0 with Argentina and Colombia.
The five-time world champion, who almost has to finish as leader of the South American tie, must prove himself once once more without his star Neymar. (D)
Channels to watch LIVE
Ecuador: The Soccer Channel (application and website) on YouTube, Movistar Play and TV Cable.
Schedules to see LIVE: Ecuador vs. Brazil
1:00 p.m. in Tijuana and Los Angeles
3:00 p.m. in Austin (Texas) and Mexico City
16:00 in Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, Miami and New York
18:00 in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil
21:00 in England and Portugal
22:00 in Spain, France, Italy and Germany
