By Brian Homewood
RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 6 - Ecuador need a point at
home to Uruguay on Saturday to clinch their place at the 2006
World Cup finals. Paraguay can also qualify if they win or draw
in Venezuela and other results go their way.
Colombia and Chile clash in steamy Barranquilla in a match
which, combined with the outcome of Uruguay's game, will go a
long way to decide who takes the fifth place play-off spot.
Argentina and Brazil, who are at home to Peru and away to
Bolivia respectively on Sunday, have already taken the first two
direct places.
The Argentines lead the 10-nation group with 31 points from
16 games, followed by Brazil (30), Ecuador (26) and Paraguay
(25). Locked in the battle for fifth spot are Uruguay (21),
Colombia and Chile (20 each).
Ecuador, who had never played at a World Cup before their
appearance in 2002, face Uruguay in Quito at 2,800 metres above
sea level, where they have taken 22 points out of a possible 24
with Brazil and Argentina among their victims.
Colombia coach Reinaldo Rueda has rebuilt the team with the
help of young players such as Spanish-based midfielder Luis
Antonio Valencia and strikers Cristian Lara and Franklin Salas.
Salas, who has a left knee injury, is Rueda's only doubt.
Uruguay, meanwhile, are beset with injury and suspensions.
Captain and defender Paolo Montero, whose international
return last year inspired a revival after a terrible run of
results last year, is doubtful along with midfielder Diego Perez
and striker Richard Morales.
Russian-based midfielder Javier Delgado is definitely out
after tearing a knee ligament while Marcelo "The Duck" Sosa and
Carlos Diogo are both suspended.
"Without wanting to put anyone down, I think Uruguay deserve
to go to the World Cup," said forward Alvaro Recoba.
MORENO MISSING
Colombia will be missing midfield playmaker Tressor Moreno
and defender Luis Amaranta Perea through injury for the visit of
Chile, who suffered a demoralising 5-0 defeat in Brazil on their
last outing.
Chile goalkeeper Nelson Tapia is confident of keeping his
place despite being criticised by coach Nelson Acosta for
swapping shirts with Brazil's Robinho at halftime after
conceding four goals in the first 29 minutes.
Colo Colo's Johnny Herrera is a possible replacement.
Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar will miss the trip to
Maracaibo to face Venezuela after picking up a second yellow
card in the 1-0 win over Argentina last month.
Venezuela, who have 18 points, could pull themselves back
into the race if they win, but must go to Brazil in their last
game.
Defeat for Paraguay could re-open the battle for fourth spot
as they have to face Colombia at home in their final match next
Wednesday.
Uruguay, meanwhile, are at home to neighbours Argentina in
their last game while Chile host Ecuador.
Sunday's matches are of academic interest to Bolivia and
Peru who are already eliminated.
Brazil's Ronaldo, however, seeks to end an international
goal drought which will reach one year on Sunday. He last scored
in the 5-2 win in Venezuela last October 9 and has since played
six internationals without hitting the target.
Standings P W D L F A Pts
1 Argentina 16 9 4 3 27 16 31
2 Brazil 16 8 6 2 31 16 30
3 Ecuador 16 8 2 6 23 19 26
4 Paraguay 16 7 4 5 22 22 25
5 Uruguay 16 5 6 5 22 28 21
6 Colombia 16 5 5 6 22 15 20
7 Chile 16 5 5 6 17 21 20
8 Venezuela 16 5 3 8 20 24 18
9 Peru 16 3 6 7 16 25 15
10 Bolivia 16 4 1 11 18 32 13