Rafael Márquez is not expected to make a return to the Mexico team for Friday’s Group A finale against Ecuador on Friday.
The veteran defender limped off with a hamstring issue in their opening game against Bolivia, and although team doctor Gerardo Aguilar claimed that he had an 80 to 90 per cent chance of featuring in Rancagua, head coach Miguel Herrera does not expect him to feature.Herrera confirmed that left wing-back Efrain “Chispa” Velarde also doubtful for their next game.
“We still don’t know if it’s Chispa who will play or if we’ll line up another way,” Herrera said. “We’re still a bit tired from the match against Chile, so we weren’t able to work too well. We’ll figure out if Chispa can play or if we’ll bring in a midfielder and use a line of four.”
Adrián Aldrete will play no part after suffering an ankle injury that will likely rule him out for the rest of the tournament.
A goalless draw against Bolivia was followed by a spirited 3-3 draw with Chile, but Mexico still face elimination with a defeat against Ecuador and can only guarantee third place with a draw.
Even a victory may not be enough to guarantee a spot in the top two, with Chile and Bolivia leading the way with four points apiece ahead of their meeting in Santiago.
However, Herrera promised that the Concacaf side would do everything in their power to reach the latter stages.“The only thought we have in our heads is winning, in every way, above every force, to win,” he told reporters.
Meanwhile, Gustavo Quinteros will be able to count on the services of Gabriel Achilier for Friday’s do-or-die clash.
A sore leg had initially marked the defender as a doubt but he pledged, as El Universal reports, to “play on one leg for my country” as they plot a route into the quarter-finals.
And the Tricolor coach has confirmed his presence for the match, explaining: “Achilier does not worry me, he will play Friday.”
Ecuador come into this clash after seeing a comeback fall just short in a 3-2 defeat to Bolivia which, coupled with 2-0 reverse against Chile, has left them rooted to the foot of the table.
A win against El Tri is their only recourse to progress in third place – though that will also depend on results across the other groups.
Quinteros accepts that their fate is out of their hands, but is committed to holding up their end of the bargain against Herrera’s outfit.
“We have to take this match to try to qualify,” he added.
Mexico have the edge in the 22 previous meetings between the sides, winning 16 times, including a 1-0 triumph back in March.
Ecuador last beat El Tri in 2010, when Jaime Ayoví’s second-half winner lifted them to a 2-1 success in Guadalajara.
Bron: ca2015.com