LA PAZ, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Colombia manager Nestor Lorenzo said Wednesday that his team will be "playing to win" against Bolivia when the teams meet in their World Cup qualifier in the rarefied air of El Alto.

Thursday's clash will be played at Estadio Municipal, situated at an altitude of more than 4,000 meters above sea level. But far from planning a dour draw at the venue - where breathing can be difficult - Lorenzo promised an attacking approach from his players.

"We want to take control of the match and be the protagonists," the Argentine said. "We're going to play and we're playing to win despite all of the challenges."

Colombia's squad has been preparing for the match in Cochabamba at around 2,500 meters above sea level, a strategy Lorenzo hopes will allow his players to adapt to the altitude without taking too much of a physical toll.

"We feel that it was the best way to allow the players to be ready for the match and to adapt to the conditions," he said.

Lorenzo predicted that quick transitions and shots from long-range would mark the duel.

"The ball moves quicker through the air at this altitude," he said. "They [Bolivia] have three or four players who can score from distance and that's something we will have to be wary of."

Colombia are currently second in the 10-team South American zone standings with 16 points from eight qualifiers, seven points ahead of eighth-placed Bolivia. Enditem

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