Ecuador tougher bet than Brazil in Copa: Venezuela's Seijas

Posted Thursday, July 07, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Ecuador will give Venezuela a tougher time than holders Brazil did in the Copa America when they meet on Saturday, Venezuela winger Luis Seijas vowed on Wednesday.

Brazil, seeking a hat-trick of Copa titles, could only manage a 0-0 draw against traditional whipping boys Venezuela in Sunday's match at La Plata outside Buenos Aires and struggled to find their flair against dogged rivals.

And for Seijas, Ecuador will pose a bigger threat than the samba stars.

"For me, this game is even more difficult than the Brazil match. We have the pressure on us to go out and win it. This time it's not just about defending and holding the line but going out to attack.

"We have to get an important result to enable us to qualify," added Seijas, who plays for Colombian side Independiente Santa Fe.

Venezuela have come on strongly since being thrashed 7-0 by Brazil in their 1999 opening match, despite baseball being the national sport.

They held the Brazilians to a draw away in a 2009 World Cup qualifier, while also winning a friendly against them, and on home soil four years ago they reached the Copa quarter-finals for the first time.