Argentina up in the clouds as Brazil plot rethink

With only one point between them in the race for four Latin American World Cup qualifying berths Argentina and Brazil, seven world crowns between them, face stiff midweek challenges.

Brazil have yet to find their best form, winning only four of their opening 11 matches on the long road which they hope will lead to South Africa.

Sunday's draw in Ecuador left the five-times winners in the last qualifying slot with Uruguay, who saw off group leaders Paraguay 2-0, only two points adrift.

Argentina and Chile are now joint second on 19 points, one clear of the Brazilians but four behind Paraguay.

With Colombia still in the mix four points behind Brazil there can be no complacency for the 'auriverde', as coach Dunga acknowledged Monday before defending the form of Ronaldinho, who gave way to goalscorer Julio Baptista on Sunday.

"Ronaldinho has not played that much of late," said Dunga in allusion to the samba star, twice a world player of the year, being left in the shade by David Beckham's arrival at AC Milan.

"The altitude of Quito made matters difficult," added Dunga by way of mitigation in a news conference Monday.

Nonetheless, with Milan teammate Kaka in the squad following his recent injury woes, Ronaldinho could be benched for Wednesday's match in his home city Porto Alegre against group tailenders Peru.

Despite Dunga's support critical voices have been raised against the former Barcelona star.

"Ronaldinho, an unresolved problem," was how the website of O Estado de Sao Paulo headlined their view on the Ecuador match.

"Ronaldinho had a chance to redeem his latest showings - but failed once again," the report opined.

Despite their less than stellar form, however, Brazil should have no trouble polishing off the Peruvians.

With just one win to their credit to date, the Peruvians are a far cry from the vintage of three decades ago, when a side led by the swashbuckling Teofilo Cubillas reached the second phase of the finals in Argentina.

Argentina face a tough trip up into the thin air of La Paz.

Diego Maradona's side will have noted how Brazil struggled to shine at 2,850 meters above sea level in Quito.

Bolivia's Estadio Hernando Siles venue is some 750 metres higher.

The Bolivians have successfully managed to stave off FIFA's best efforts to scrap competitive internationals in La Paz owing to the high altitude with President Evo Morales insisting any ban would "run counter to the universality of sports."

Maradona has spoken out in favour of the Bolivians, who managed to beat Paraguay at home but whose away form is by contrast simply dreadful.

"We have to face up to the altitude and just not be afraid," said Maradona, who played and scored in a gala match last year against a Morales presidential eleven.

Given the altitude factor, the Argentines may calculate that they can content themselves with avoiding defeat.

Following their loss in Uruguay, Paraguay must get swiftly back on the rails with a win in Ecuador knowing that in the event of another defeat their lead could shrink to a single point.

Chile are meanwhile in the ascendency following their weekend win in Peru and should they see off Uruguay they will take a big step towards South Africa while also keeping the Uruguayans firmly in their place below Brazil and out of the top four.

Tuesday's game sees Colombia travel to Puerto Ordaz to face minnows Venezuela.

Sapa-AFP Worldcupweb.com