Paraguay must beat Ecuador - and Quito's thin air

ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) Paraguay's national soccer team must overcome the thin air in Ecuador's capital Quito if it is to win their crucial World Cup qualifier.

Coach Ramon Diaz says the team will train in the coastal Ecuadoran city of Guayaquil until just hours before Thursday's match, then travel to Quito, which is located at 2,850 meters (9,350 feet).

This is one of two general strategies for beating the altitude. The other is arriving weeks beforehand to adjust to the thin air.

Diaz says Ecuador is ''a very tough team'' that is very difficult to beat at home.

Ecuador leads the 10 teams in South American qualifying with 12 points, three ahead of Uruguay and five in front of Brazil, Paraguay…