(MENAFN- IANS) Guayaquil, Nov 17 (IANS) Ecuador manager Sebastian Beccacece has said that his team will "compete on level terms" with Colombia when the teams meet in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

Ecuador is currently fifth in the 10-team South American group with 16 points from 11 games, three points behind third-placed Colombia.

Tuesday's clash in the Colombian port city of Barranquilla will provide a chance for both sides to consolidate a place in the automatic qualification zone.

"It's going to be a nice challenge," Beccacece told reporters, as quoted bu Xinhua. "We are going to be well prepared and ready to compete on level terms against a side that is playing very well."

The Argentine, who replaced Spaniard Felix Sanchez as Ecuador's manager in August, pointed out that Colombia has few weaknesses.

"They have in-form forwards and wingers that are dangerous when they attack. In defense, they have players who are strong physically and also technically very sound.

"But we are developing as a team and our players are showing great maturity, despite the fact most of them are very young. We hope to be able to finish off the year with a win against Colombia."

--IANs

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