Sampaoli turns to Argentina duo for World Cup qualifier

Buenos Aires Oct 9 (IANS) Benfica forward Eduardo Salvio and River Plate midfielder Enzo Perez are set to be handed starting berths for Argentina s final World Cup qualifier in Ecuador on Tuesday.

The pair trained with the Albiceleste s first eleven in Buenos Aires on Sunday replacing Alejandro Gomez and Ever Banega in the team that drew 0-0 with Peru on Thursday Xinhua news agency reported.

Jorge Sampaoli s squad travelled to Ecuador on Sunday night and will stay in the port city of Guayaquil until just hours before Tuesday s match in Quito to minimize the effects of the capital s 2 850m altitude.

Argentina who have qualified for every World Cup since 1974 must beat Ecuador to secure at least a playoff spot for next year s tournament in Russia.

Ecuador are out of contention having won just six of their 17 qualifiers to date.

--IANS
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