Cup qualifiers a stiff test for new coaches

Brazil’s Luan (from left), Neymar, Dani Alves and Gil at a training session on Tuesday ahead of their 2018 World Cup qualifying match against hosts Ecuador in Quito. (Photo: AP)

Injury-hit Argentina resume their bid for a berth at the 2018 World Cup on Thursday as Brazil head into the latest round of South American qualifiers hoping to build on their Olympic gold medal triumph.

In the five months since the last batch of games in South America’s marathon qualifying campaign, both Brazil and Argentina have undergone massive upheaval, with each side parting company with their coaches.

Brazil kissed goodbye to 1994 World Cup-winning captain Dunga after a dismal campaign in the Copa America Centenario which saw the five-time world champions knocked out in the group stage.

Argentina meanwhile split with Gerardo Martino following his team’s Copa America final defeat to Chile in June.

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is uncertain for Thursday’s showdown with historical rivals Uruguay in Mendoza, with the 29-year-old struggling to overcome a groin injury.

Messi has traveled to Argentina to join the squad and was seen taking part in light drills in training on Tuesday. However Sergio Aguero and Javier Pastore are both definitely out.

Argentina, who face a trip to Venezuela next Tuesday after the Uruguay game, are currently third in the standings with 11 points after six of 18 games.

Brazil have a potentially awkward trip to the thin air of Quito to face Ecuador.

Although the Brazilians have an impressive overall record against Ecuador — winning 24 of 30 games since 1942 — the Selecao have never won a World Cup qualifier in Quito.