Ecuador unfazed by Brazil World Cup qualifying test

GUAYAQUIL, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador will not be intimidated by five-time world champions Brazil when the teams clash in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier, veteran midfielder Christian Noboa said on Tuesday.

Ecuador will meet Brazil at Porto Alegre's Beira-Rio stadium on Friday and Peru at Estadio de la LDU in Quito on June 8.

Gustavo Alfaro's men are currently third in the South American zone standings with three wins and one loss from their four qualifiers so far. Brazil lead the 10-team CONMEBOL group with four wins from as many matches.

"Brazil are a great side but we have the team to fight them," Noboa, who has been capped 78 times for Ecuador, told a virtual press conference.

"Every game in these qualifiers is tough. We've had some important results so far but we need to do a lot more to qualify for the World Cup. Our aim is to go as far as possible. If we don't have that attitude there's no point playing in the national side."

The 36-year-old hailed the positive impact of Alfaro since he replaced Jordi Cruyff as head coach last August.

"The good thing about him is that we've all managed to understand him and everyone has adapted to him," said Noboa, who plays his club football for Sochi in the Russian Premier League.

"He has come with great enthusiasm to do what is best for the national team. We have to believe in him and support him because these qualifiers are very tough."