Football-Silence: Argentina travels to Ecuador under pressure

BUENOS AIRES, Oct 8 (Reuters) – Argentina travelled to Ecuador on Sunday for their most important World Cup qualifier in years, with no press but the confidence that a win would keep them in contention for a coveted place at next year’s World Cup. Lionel Messi’s team, which reached the final three years ago in Brazil, sit sixth in the 10-team South American group, outside the qualifying spots for Russia. The top four qualify automatically and the fifth-placed team will play an intercontinental play-off against Oceania Cup winners New Zealand. Argentina have won just one World Cup qualifier at high altitude in the Ecuadorian capital, but three points on Tuesday would guarantee them a place in the top five, and possibly the top four, depending on other results. But with none of their last four qualifiers won and no Argentine scoring from open play in almost a year, the mood is not one of optimism, even against a team already out of contention. Neither coach Jorge Sampaoli nor his players have spoken to the press since Thursday’s 0-0 draw with Peru and the tension is evident ahead of the game in Quito. The team trained against Argentina’s under-20s at their base near Buenos Aires on Sunday morning before heading to the airport. The players, who staged a press boycott last year, have not given interviews. And Sampaoli, who became Argentina’s third coach this season when he took over in June, has given no indication of who will lead the line in a game where goals are particularly vital or how to bring out the best in Messi. The former Chile and Sevilla coach has been criticised for changing strikers and formations, but the changes have not brought him joy. Argentina have scored just 16 goals in 17 qualifying games, fewer than anyone except Bolivia, and only one – an own goal in the 1-1 draw with bottom-placed Venezuela – in the three qualifiers since Sampaoli took over. Local media have suggested that Dario Benedetto will get a second chance in attack. The Boca Juniors forward started for the first time against Peru. (Reporting by Andrew Downie, editing by Rex Gowar)