Gustavo Alfaro Faces Ecuador with Paraguay in World Cup Qualifiers

In an evocative clash taking place in Quito, Gustavo Alfaro, the coach of Paraguay, revisits his ties with Ecuador, which he managed two years ago. The occasion is the ninth round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Speaking at a press conference the day before the match, Alfaro expressed deep gratitude towards the Ecuadorian players and people. “It feels great to be here again,” said the Argentine coach. “It will always be missed,” he added, promising an exciting match between the two teams.

During his tenure as Ecuador’s coach, Alfaro successfully led the national team to qualify for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, overcoming substantial setbacks. However, his departure was marred by disagreements with the Ecuadorian football administration, leading to legal disputes. His current challenge involves acclimatizing the Paraguayan team, training for four days to adjust to Quito’s 2,800-meter altitude.

Alfaro’s counterpart, Sebastián Beccacece, who took over as Ecuador’s head coach in August, also hailed from Argentina. In a recent media interaction, Beccacece highlighted Paraguay as “a team of high risk and requiring extreme focus.” He emphasized the importance of Ecuador executing a “quality attack” and maintaining a “dominant and proactive” stance in the game.

The Ecuadorian squad, known as “La Tri,” ranks fourth in the qualifying standings with 11 points. Acknowledging the advantage of playing on home soil, the team aims to secure a direct qualification spot. Óscar Zambrano, a player for Hull City in England, commented on Paraguay’s strengths, including their aerial game. “They are likely to control the tempo, but we are well-prepared to secure the three points,” said Zambrano.

Paraguay seeks to capitalize on recent victories and a draw, currently positioned seventh with nine points. Goalkeeper Roberto Fernández spoke about the team’s fortified identity under Alfaro’s leadership, valuing their heightened defensive tactics. He noted the Ecuadorians’ tactical intensity, particularly at high altitudes, as a challenge they intend to leverage.

In light of past incidents, FIFA has imposed sanctions on Ecuador, reducing stadium capacity by 15% and fining them $23,000 following discriminatory chants by supporters during their previous match against Peru.