A game in which only one triumph is valid for both. Japan and Ecuador will seek to reach the quarterfinals of CONMEBOL Copa América 2019. A tie eliminates both of them from the tournament.
Japan will clash at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte with Ecuador under Colombian coach Hernan Dario Gomez in the final matchday of Group C. The match will begin at 20:00 local time.
"They had a lot of courage to play", coach Hajime Moriyasu congratulated his players after the tie against Uruguay. Moriyasu then celebrated "the defiant spirit" that the team had against a rival with players like Luis Suarez or Edinson Cavani. Gone was Japan's overwhelming 4-0 loss to Chile in their debut.
Group C is led by Chile, champions of the last two editions of the Copa America, with six points, followed by Uruguay with four. Japan, still alive, have one unit, while Ecuador have their account blank.
- Under pressure -
Ecuador, who lost 4-0 to Uruguay and 2-1 to Chile, have a difficult history: "I'd rather not talk. I'll give you a brief summary. It was an equal match, played, (with) few arrivals to the area and goal situations. Ecuador wins in possession of the ball, Chile in the individual games", said the Ecuadorian TD after the last defeat, in a brief appearance before the press in which he did not accept questions.
Ecuador will lose a lot of important players such as its captain, the central defender Gabriel Achilier, will be absent after receiving a red card against Chile.
Possible line-ups
Ecuador: Alexander Domínguez - Pedro Velasco, Arturo Mina, Robert Arboleda, Cristian Ramírez - Sebastián Méndez, Carlos Gruezo, Jefferson Orejuela - Ángel Mena, Enner Valencia, Romario Ibarra.
Coach: Hernán DarÃo Gómez.
Japan: Eiji Kawashima - Tomoki Iwata, Naomichi Ueda, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Daiki Sugioka - Koji Miyoshi, Gaku Shibasaki, Kou Itakura, Takefusa Kubo - Shinji Okazaki, Hiroki Abe.
Coach: Hajime Moriyasu.
