BELO HORIZONTE, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Brazil midfielder Fred has warned his teammates that no opponent can be taken for granted ahead of Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Paraguay.

The clash in Belo Horizonte will come five days after the five-time world champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Ecuador in Quito.

"There isn't a weak South American [national] team," the 28-year-old Manchester United player said. "In fact, they all have a lot of quality. People think that football is only what happens in Europe but that's far from the truth."

The result at the Liga Deportiva Universitaria stadium -- 2,850 meters above sea level -- was just the third time in 14 matches that Brazil have dropped points in this qualifying campaign.

Tite's men remain undefeated at the top of the 10-team South American group, four points ahead of second-placed Argentina. Ecuador are third, eight points further adrift.

Paraguay, meanwhile, are ninth and must beat Brazil to have any chance of featuring in football's showpiece tournament in Qatar later this year.

"We want the fans on our side and we'll be trying to play our best football," Fred said of Tuesday's duel at the Mineirao.

"We'll continue working as hard as we can to prepare for the World Cup. We are doing very well in terms of numbers; we're playing high quality football as a team."

Of his own status as a starter in Brazil's recent qualifiers, Fred said: "I'm happy to have played these last few games as a starter but there's still an open fight for places so I can't afford to rest on my laurels. The team has a lot of options." Enditem

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