Ecuador draw with Sweden to keep home record intact

QUITO, Jan 22 (Reuters) Substitute Edmundo Zura grabbed a late equaliser with only his second touch of the game as Ecuador drew 1-1 with Sweden in a friendly to maintain their unbeaten five-and-a-half year home record.

Zura, who plays for second division Imbabura, headed home from Walter Ayovi's cross in the 82nd minute yesterday as Ecuador narrowly avoided their first home defeat since a World Cup qualifier in August 2001 when they lost 2-0 to Argentina.

The South Americans, who fielded an experimental team, have played 21 home matches since then -- most of them at high altitude in Qutio -- and their run includes competitive wins over both Argentina and Brazil.

It was Zura's first international goal in his third outing.

Sweden, fielding a team of Nordic-based players, had gone ahead through Daniel Nannskog in the 68th minute.

The draw completes a three-match South Amercican tour for the Swedes, who lost 2-0 to Venezuela last Sunday and 2-1 in their first meeting with Ecuador on Thursday.

Ecuador's teenage midfielder Fernando Guerrero and Sweden midfielder Anders Svensson were sent off after clashing in the 87th minute.

The hosts finished with nine men after midfielder David Quiroz limped off injured with coach Luis Fernando Suarez having already made his six permitted substitutions.

Reuters PM DB0904