Trio eye summit, big two need points - SOUTH AMERICA
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| AFP |
There is plenty at stake on Matchday 4 of the South American qualifying competition for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, with Ecuador looking to maintain their lead at the top of the table, a position that Uruguay and Chile will have designs on taking when they meet in Montevideo. Meanwhile, Argentina and Brazil are aiming for much-needed wins to kick-start their faltering campaigns. FIFA.com looks ahead to Tuesday’s five matches.
The big game
Uruguay-Chile
La Celeste take on the in-form continental champions intent on bouncing back from last week’s defeat to Ecuador and on staying in among them leaders. Set to name a largely unchanged side, Uruguay coach Oscar El Maestro Tabarez will be banking on the goalscoring instincts of Edinson Cavani, who found the net against La Tri, to make up for the continuing absence of star striker Luis Suarez. Despite being held to a draw by Colombia at home in their last outing, La Roja are still riding high and are aiming for their first ever qualifying win on Uruguayan soil, though coach Jorge Sampaoli is still waiting on the fitness of the talismanic Alexis Sanchez. Tuesday’s meeting gives the hosts an early chance to avenge their defeat to the Chileans in the quarter-finals of the Copa America earlier this year.
Elsewhere
Colombia entertain Argentina with morale high following James Rodriguez’s goalscoring return to action in Chile last week. On the downside, coach Jose Pekerman has several changes to make in the absence of the injured Jackson Martinez and the suspended Carlos Sanchez and Santiago Arias. Looking ahead to the game, the Argentinian said: “Colombia respects Argentina, but we know we have the potential to win.” Despite having turned in an improved performance in the home draw with Brazil, La Albiceleste are still well off the pace in the table and will need to overcome the continuing absences of Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero if they are to get their campaign on track against Los Cafeteros.
Table-topping Ecuador travel to Venezuela to take on a Vinotinto side that lies bottom following three defeats in three. Having rested several first-choice players for the luckless trip to Bolivia, the Venezuelans will be back to full strength for a game they can ill afford to lose. In stark contrast, La Tri are in buoyant mood thanks to their perfect start in the qualifiers, though they will be hampered by the injury-enforced absences of Antonio Valencia, Enner Valencia and Michael Arroyo.
Paraguay and Bolivia both go into their meeting in Asuncion with work to do. Stung by their reverse at the hands of Peru last Friday, Los Guaraníes have no option but to be more attack-minded at their Estadio Defensores del Chaco stronghold, having scored just the once in their opening three games. Buoyed by their handsome win over Venezuela, La Verde have a handful of injuries and suspensions to contend with and will be forced to reshuffle their pack for what promises to be a testing assignment in the Paraguayan capital.
Finally, Brazil host Peru in Salvador with nothing but victory on their mind after a start that has left both players and fans alike dissatisfied. With only four points to their name so far, A Verdeamarelha will have to make do without the suspended David Luiz, though they will have attacking ace Neymar pulling the strings up front. Taking nothing for granted, coach Dunga said: “We’re up against tough opponents and we need to start picking up points as quickly as possible so we can qualify.” Full of belief again after downing Paraguay, Los Incaicos will be out to make a little bit of history in Brazil, where they have managed but a solitary draw in previous World Cup qualifiers.
Player to watch
Paolo Guerrero (Peru)
Having spent more than three years in Brazilian football now, the Flamengo striker is one of Peru’s trump cards on their visit to the five-time world champions. A mainstay of Ricardo Gareca’s side and a potent threat up front, the man they call The Predator will be looking to maintain his rich vein of form.
Did you know?
Argentina have the edge in the head-to-head with Colombia in qualifiers on Cafetera soil, winning four of those seven encounters, losing just two and always scoring at least one goal. Pekerman’s side have gone seven home qualifiers without defeat, however, their last coming against the two-time world champions almost four years ago to the day, on 15 November 2011.
What they said
“We have to beat Colombia because we don’t like what we see when we look at the table. I hope we can produce the same performance as we did against them in the Copa America, but this time taking the chances we failed to take in Chile,” Argentina coach Gerardo Martino.
Matchday 4 fixtures:
17 November
Colombia-Argentina
Venezuela-Ecuador
Uruguay-Chile
Paraguay-Bolivia
Brazil-Peru