Venezuela 3 - 1 Ecuador

Hopes kept alive

Updated: October 13, 2008, 8:00 AM UK

PUERTO LA CRUZ, Venezuela, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Venezuela came from a goal down to beat Ecuador 3-1 on Wednesday and keep their outside hopes alive of qualifying for their first World Cup.

The hosts, beaten 4-0 at home by Brazil last Sunday and without a win in five qualifiers since Cesar Farias took over as coach, scored three times in the second half to deal a setback to Ecuador's hopes of qualifying for South Africa in 2010.

Venezuela moved up to eighth plce in the 10-team table with 10 points from 10 games, only six behind Argentina in third place. Ecuador are sixth with 12 points.

The top four qualify directly for a place at the World Cup finals and the fifth-placed team plays against a side from the CONCACAF region for another place.

Ecuador went ahead with their first attack when Isaac Mina headed in Edison Mendez's 10th minute free kick after slack marking by the home defence.

Giancarlo Maldonado equalised two minutes after halftime with his fourth goal of the qualifiers and Alejandro Moreno put the hosts ahead nine minutes later, scoring at the second attempt after Jose Cevallos blocked his first effort.

Juan Arango fired the third goal in the 67th minute after a 50-metres run by Tomas Rincon.