Ecuador playing to win against Senegal: Alfaro
He added: "We are not going out to draw. If we do that we'll miss out on top position [in the group]. We are going to try to win, making the most of our very good offensive block and solid defense."
Ecuador will be playing to win their final 2022 World Cup Group A match against Senegal despite needing only a draw to advance to the knockout stage in Qatar, manager Gustavo Alfaro said on Monday.
“We cannot change the way we play,” Alfaro told a news conference ahead of Tuesday’s clash at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.
“Ecuador have a way of doing things and we are going out there to win. We respect our opponents. They are a good team with a good manager who has a very clear idea of how he wants to play.”
Ecuador began their campaign with a 2-0 win over Qatar before securing a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in their second match. Senegal lost 2-0 to the Netherlands in their opener and then beat the tournament hosts 3-1.
Alfaro praised the work of Senegal manager Aliou Cisse, who has had to reshuffle his team in the absence of Sadio Mane. The Bayern Munich striker was ruled out of the tournament just days before Senegal’s first match because of a leg injury that requires surgery.
“[Senegal] have reinvented themselves after losing Mane,” the Argentine coach said. “This is going to be our most difficult match of the World Cup because of who we’re playing against and because of the circumstances.”
He added: “We are not going out to draw. If we do that we’ll miss out on top position [in the group]. We are going to try to win, making the most of our very good offensive block and solid defense.”
