Beccacece sets World Cup tone in U.S., Mexico friendlies

Alsharq Tribune- M.Essam 

Ecuador manager Sebastian Beccacece said Thursday his team would treat friendlies against the United States and Mexico as competitive fixtures in a bid to ready his squad for next year's FIFA World Cup.

Ecuador will meet the United States in Austin, Texas, on October 10 and Mexico in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, four days later.

"The challenge we have is to bring to these friendlies the same level of intensity that we experience in official matches," Beccacece told a news conference.

"It's all about giving ourselves the best possible chance of having the best World Cup in our history next year."

Ecuador secured a World Cup place by finishing second in South American qualifying, despite a three-point deduction over Byron Castillo's ineligible registration in the previous cycle.

Beccacece said he was unsure whether Chelsea's Moises Caicedo, Arsenal's Piero Hincapie or Flamengo's Gonzalo Plata would be available for the matches, with all battling fitness concerns.

"We have to consider how each one is feeling individually," the Argentine coach said. "[Hincapie] is fully willing to join the national team, but it is very complicated. It's the same case with Gonzalo Plata. The friendlies will help to further establish our ideas, but if they're not well, we will evaluate and make decisions.