Ecuador head coach Gustavo Alfaro said Monday he feels obliged to guide Ecuador to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, despite the team's recent run of mediocre form.

The Tricolor failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and were dumped out of last year's Copa America in Brazil before the knockout phase.

However, Alfaro, who took charge last month after the resignation of Jordi Cruyff, refuses to accept that Ecuador will be outsiders to secure a berth in the next edition of football's showpiece tournament.

"I personally feel like it's an obligation to qualify," the 58-year-old Argentinian told reporters. "I play to win and I don't take losing particularly well."

"We are already working hard to achieve our goal of going to Qatar. It's a challenge that affects all of Ecuador. We know it's not going to be easy and we're focused on giving everything we've got."

Ecuador will begin their South American zone qualifying campaign with a clash against Argentina in Buenos Aires on October 8. They will host Uruguay in Quito five days later. 

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