Gabriel Achilier's desire to play for Ecuador at any cost is set to be rewarded, even as his team face an uphill task of knockout qualification ahead of the game against Mexico.
Coach Gustavo Quinteros' Ecuador are struggling to make an impact in the Copa America, losing both their matches so far, and their fate is not entirely in their hands when they face third-placed Mexico in Friday's final Group A game.
The top two nations in each group progress to the quarter-finals along with the two best third-placed teams, meaning rock-bottom Ecuador have to beat Mexico and hope results go their way elsewhere if they are to avoid exiting the tournament.
Central defender Achilier had a sore leg, and was initially a doubt for the game, but Quinteros has now confirmed a role for the 30-year-old.
As he plotted an improbable route into the knockout stages, Achilier was quoted on El Universal as saying: "We understand the importance of the game against Mexico, especially for our own pride and love.
"Now we have limited chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals, but the first thing is to keep believing in us. Against Mexico, we will play our best game. So far we have played good games, but we must do more."
Quinteros saw his side go down to tournament hosts Chile first up, before losing 3-2 to Bolivia despite a second-half comeback.
And while he is not worried about Achilier, he hopes a win can somehow align the stars from other fixtures in his side's favour.
"We have to take this match to try to qualify," he said. "Be assured that we will form a competitive team."
Even the president of the Ecuadorian Football Federation admitted to a spate of individual mistakes that were costing the national team.
Luis Chiriboga Acosta, in fact, is already hoping the Mexico game can provide an indication of how qualification for the 2018 World Cup will pan out.
"Hopefully we will see on Friday the Ecuador we want to see," he said. "Qualifying, it will be quite hard.
"We made many individual mistakes that cost us dearly in this Copa America. That is why we must correct and reach the ideal, (so as to be) competitive in the qualifying tournament for the World Cup in Russia."
Mexico, meanwhile, must aim for their qualification minus the services of midfielder Adrian Aldrete, who underwent an MRI for an ankle injury and is likely to be sidelined for two to three weeks.
Rafael Marquez had already been ruled out of the group phase after being injured in the opening game, and both he and Aldrete are now undergoing rehabilitation at a clinic in Santiago.
A statement on the Mexican football federation's website said hope remains on Aldrete being available to play should the team make it to the business end of the tournament.
The Mexicans are just two points off the top two in Group A but are yet to win in this campaign, having been held goalless by Bolivia, and then earning a 3-3 draw against Chile.
Source: PA
