Ecuador fans give Vasca hard reception

The Ecuadorian town of Guayaquil is in turmoil as the local club, Barcelona, prepare to play their Libertadores Cup tie against Vasco Da Gama.

Demonstrations yesterday saw the Vasco coach stoned and windows broken as the Brazilians continued to complain about the venue and behaviour of the fans in Ecuador. They lesd 2-0 from the first leg on the final and face a 75,000 partisan sellout tonight amid threats by the Brazilian side to abandon the match. The players have been instructed to eat or drink no local food and club officials are continuing to complain about the inclusion of tall striker Augustin Delgado in the side that was announced yesterday.

Delgado is on loan with the Mexican club Azul but has been brought back to play this one match for Barcelona. He will lead the attack along with Colombian striker Anthony De Avila if the game goes ahead. After the violent attack on the Vasca party the Ecuador FA were called into emergency session by the CONMEBOL delegate in charge of the tie to discuss moving the match to a new venue. This is unlikely and the game looks certain to go ahead tonight amid frenzied scenes among the Ecuadorian fans who aqre urging their side to win their first international title.