| Ecuador beat Bolivia to keep slim hopes alive |  |
Ecuador kept their slim hopes of a first World Cup appearance flickering Sunday by beating Bolivia 1-0 in a South American qualifier.
Argentine-born striker Ariel Graziani scored the winner in the 27th minute to bury any lingering hopes the Bolivians, who have 17 points from 15 games, may have had of repeating their 1994 appearance.
Graziani, who headed in a cross by veteran captain Luis Capurro, also missed two gilt-edged chances to add to his tally in the second half of a generally scrappy game.
Ecuador have 21 points from 15 games, one less than fourth-placed Peru, who were away to Chile later on Sunday. The top four teams in the South American group qualify for France.
Ecuador were left hoping that Peru did not win their match, as this would guarantee their neighbors the last place still open in the group. Argentina, Colombia and Paraguay have already qualified.
ECUADOR -
Francisco Cevallos, Ivan Hurtado, Ulises de la Cruz, Luis Capurro, Alberto Montano, Hector Carabali, Jose Gavica (Alex Aguinaga, 46), Jimmy Blandon, Wellington Sanchez Eduardo Smith, 75), Eduardo Hurtado (Angel Fernandez, 75), Ariel Graziani.
BOLIVIA -
Carlos Trucco, Sergio Castillo, Eduardo Jiguchi, Miguel Rimba, Ivan Castillo, Luis Cristaldo, Fernando Ochoaizpur, Ramiro Castillo (Mauro Blanco, 77), Marco Etcheverry, Jose Luis Ortiz, Juan Berthy (Limbert Gutierrez, 55).
