That was last year in the final of the Copa Libertadores, which Liga de Quito won 3-1 on a penalty shootout at Brazil's Maracana stadium after tying 5-5 over two legs.

Fluminense and Liga de Quito meet again in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana on Wednesday at 2,850 meters (9,000 feet ) in the Ecuadorean capital. The second leg is Dec. 2 in Rio de Janeiro.

"They will have a bad memory of what happened in Maracana," said Jorge Fossati, the Uruguayan who coaches Liga de Quito.

The Copa Sudamericana is the continent's No. 2 club competition behind the Libertadores, but Quito has yet to win it.

"Playing an international cup final in the continent that exports the most soccer talent to the world _ which is South America _ is a great honor," said Liga de Quito vice president Patricio Torres.

Liga de Quito reached the final by hammering Uruguay side River Plate 7-0 and has rested several of its starters since that match.

Fluminense booked its place in the final by beating Cerro Porteno of Paraguay 3-1 on aggregate over two legs. The Brazilians defeated Sport 3-0 over the weekend in league play and are likely to field the same lineup.

"We can't play defensively, because that is what Quito wants us to do," Fluminense coach Cuca said. "We will not change out style of play just because it's a final."

Fluminense will depend on striker Fred and will be without injured defender Digao and forward Maicon.

The Brazilian players have tried to play down playing at altitude in Quito.

"I'm not worried because I talked to my trainer and he said it (altitude) is a psychological thing, so I'll try to keep it out of my mind," Fred said.