“The game puts us in a place where we have everything to win and nothing to lose,” Alfaro told a news conference.
•The 33-year-old Fenerbahçe striker has not been able to work out with the first team and will have until the last minute to regain his fitness.
Ecuador’s head coach Gustavo Alfaro said on Thursday his team would have nothing to lose against the Netherlands when they meet in Group A of the World Cup.
The Netherlands, who have been finalists in 3 World Cups, are favourites for Friday’s match at Doha’s Khalifa Stadium and gained some confidence with a 2-0 win over Senegal in their opener on Monday.
But Ecuador will offer a tough opponent, also building on its crusade with a 2-0 win in the tournament’s opener against host Qatar on Sunday.
“The game puts us in a position where we have everything to win and nothing to lose,” Alfaro told a news conference. “No one knows what’s going to happen. But I’m very sure what my team has. “Shown.
One of Alfaro’s considerations will be the fitness of Enner Valencia, who injured his ankle after scoring one of Ecuador’s goals against Qatar.
The 33-year-old Fenerbahce striker has not been able to work out with the first team and will have until the last minute to improve his form.
“It’s as difficult as they come, but let’s see how it is this afternoon,” Alfaro said. He does it when we want it. We hope he responds well [to treatment] today and can play from the beginning.
Alfaro praised the paintings of his counterpart Louis van Gaal, whom he blamed for the transformation of the Dutch fortune after replacing Frank de Boer as coach in August this year.
“This is a well-organized team with a lot of individual ability, players who can play for themselves,” he said. “When you play against a big moment [like Holland], you have to be on, physically and mentally.
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