体坛英语新闻：Ecuador travel to Argentina ahead of debut in World Cup Qualifiers

QUITO, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador's national soccer team travelled to Argentina on Tuesday to face the local team on October 8, kicking off the start of the South American World Cup Russia 2018 Qualifiers, reported local media.

The national team will face Argentina at 19:00 local time (00:00 GMT) in River Plate's Monumental Stadium in the capital city of Buenos Aires, according to the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF).

The team, made up of 19 players, along with the coach, Argentinian-Bolivian Gustavo Quinteros, and the coaching staff travelled from Quito's international airport to the Argentine capital.

Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, the team will join with five other Ecuador players who arrived from clubs outside of Ecuador. These players are already in the hotel on Argentinian soil preparing themselves for the match.

The FEF told local media that on Tuesday and Wednesday the team would train at local club Boca Juniors Yellow House prior to the match.

On their way to the World Cup Russia 2018, Ecuador will wear a new strip. It was presented on Monday evening in Quito by the FEF's directors.

"We want to be in Russia with this shirt which from today has become the country's skin. Let's hope that Thursday will be the start of a good round of qualifiers so that we reach the World Cup," said FEF President, Luis Chiriboga.

After their debut against Argentina, Ecuador will go on to play at home against Bolivia while the third match will be at home against Uruguay and then in Venezuela.

Ecuador has participated in three World Cups; Korea-Japan 2002, Germany 2006 and Brazil 2014.