Messi’s Argentina look to pull away in W.Cup qualifiers

Reuters: Barcelona’s serial hat-trick scorer Lionel Messi will be looking to take up where he last left off as Argentina captain when he leads his country against Ecuador in a 2014 World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

Messi scored his first and only hat-trick for Argentina in a 3-1 friendly win away to Switzerland in February so pasting over cracks in coach Alejandro Sabella’s defence.

Right back Pablo Zabaleta pointed to the imbalance of an Argentina side with a world class group of forwards but a rearguard short of choice in full backs and quality in central defenders.

“To have Leo (Messi), Pipa (Gonzalo Higuain) and Kun (Sergio Aguero) gives you maximum security,” Zabaleta said.

“Up front we have great power, the strongest point in this national team and let’s hope they get chances and put them away,” he told reporters after a practice.

Argentina meet Ecuador at the River Plate stadium (2230 GMT) as co-leaders of the South American group with Uruguay and Venezuela, who meet at the Centenario in Montevideo (1800).

After four matches, the trio have seven points although Copa America holders Uruguay have a game in hand.

Uruguay, ranked third by FIFA, will not take Venezuela lightly having paid a price when they were beaten 3-0 at home in 2004 by the region’s one-time whipping boys.

Much-improved Venezuela were Copa America semi-finalists for the first time last year when Uruguay won the trophy in Argentina.

Uruguay, too, are much improved from the days when they had to play off against a team from another continent before booking World Cup tickets in 2002 and 2010.

“Let’s hope it isn’t as tough this time. We’re on the right track. In any case all the teams are very even... We hope not to end up like the last times, suffering and doing sums,” striker Luis Suarez told reporters.

Coach’s debut

The top four teams in the three-year, 16-match qualifying campaign go through to the 2014 finals in Brazil with the fifth-placed team playing off against an Asian nation. Brazil are exempt from qualifying as hosts.

Colombia, with four points from three matches and looking to qualify for the first time since 1998, are away to Peru in Lima (2200 GMT Sunday) with Argentine Jose Pekerman making his debut as their coach.

Messi and Aguero were partly responsible for their compatriot’s appointment, their goals in Argentina’s 2-1 away win over Colombia in their last qualifier in November earning coach Leonel Alvarez the sack.

Peru, with three points, have not reached the finals since 1982 but a surprise third place at the Copa America with a squad depleted by injuries, following an upset quarter-final win over Colombia, has raised their hopes.

Injuries are plaguing coach Sergio Markarian’s plans again with strikers Claudio Pizarro out and Jeferson Farfan doubtful.

“In the face of this adversity, I think the Peru team can overcome them. At the Copa America important players were also injured and in the end we had a good cup,” striker Paolo Guerrero told reporters.

Chile, who like Ecuador have six points, visit bottom team Bolivia (one point) at the Hernando Siles in the thin air of La Paz (2010 GMT Saturday).



The Chileans have spent a week preparing in the northern city of Calama which, at 2,650 metres above sea level is only 1,000 metres lower than La Paz as they seek a third consecutive qualifying win in the Bolivian capital.

Paraguay, with four points from four matches, have a bye until the next round of matches the following weekend.