Ecuador are off to an impressive start to their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign after a win and draw against Qatar and the Netherlands respectively. The South Americans go into their final group game on Tuesday against Senegal with plenty of confidence.
The Ecuadorians will enter this game needing at least one point to qualify for the round of 16. This is a team going for the win. This was made clear by their dominant performances in their first two group matches. They will like to get the job done against a tough and well trained Senegal team.
Ecuador has been the surprise of the tournament, so far
Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro can’t go wrong right now. He brought two tactical formations that he hadn’t used in a long time, which have paid off immensely. In the match against the Netherlands he used the 3-4-3 formation.
Having three central defenders didn’t seem like a good bet at first due to the Netherlands’ early goal through Cody Gakpo. As the game progressed, the Dutch were unable to get any significant attack throughout the game. His only goal was his only shot on goal. Nor could they with the full-backs who acted as wingers. Both Ángelo Preciado and Pervis Estupiñán are having a great tournament.
Then there are the goalscoring exploits of Enner Valencia, a striker with an incredible history. The team captain leads the team with three goals. He is very effective at breaking down the opposition’s defenses by moving in and out of the wing and central areas. The Fenerbahçe man is in the right place at the right time to find goals, as evidenced by his goal against the Netherlands.
Tempers are running high in Ecuador with the fans and the media. There is a persistent concern and it is about Valencia. In both matches, the 33-year-old had to be substituted due to apparent injuries. Against the Netherlands on Friday, he had to be stretchered off at the end of the game.
Other Possible Target Sources
Valencia has been so good for La Tri that the Ecuadorian media is concerned that their chances of making a deep run could be affected if Valencia suffers a long-term injury. All signs point to Valencia being fit for Senegal, but he has the media scrutinizing how a potential replacement can take his place in the event of injury.
Alfaro has started both games for Cruz Azul striker Michael Estrada. He is likely to start again on Tuesday against Senegal. He was the top scorer for Ecuador in qualifying for the World Cup. The problem is that he has been goalless with the national team since February against Peru. Despite the fact that he has yet to score in Qatar, Estrada is playing well doing the dirty work of winning balls back and taking out defenses.
Kevin Rodríguez is a young striker who is also an option if Valencia is not in top form. Alfaro is placing a lot of trust in the 22-year-old who plays for Imbabura in the Ecuadorian second division. He has come on as a substitute in both games so far.
The forward was not on anyone’s radar before November. He was then called up for the World Cup warm-up match against Iraq. He made his debut, and then made the World Cup team. Ecuador scouted him well, and nine goals from him in Ecuador’s Serie B must have been convincing enough to call him out.
Rodríguez is now clearly third in line in the pecking order of Alfaro’s forwards. Valencia and Estrada being the first two. He is a tall, lanky striker with good technical ability. The striker can score with both his head and feet, just like Valencia. He is also similar to Valencia in that he is very physical and will challenge any contested ball. His willingness to dig deep into midfield and win balls back and start attacking transitions exemplify why he is already an Alfaro favourite.
He has shown signs of promise in the short amount of time he has played. The Ecuadorian media found his call-up controversial because there was a feeling that the team needed more experienced backup forwards.
Gustavo Alfaro left his message that if a player is good enough, then he is old enough. This explains the surprising call-up for Kevin Rodríguez, but it is also the reason why the whole team is young, energetic and attacking. Alfaro has given youth a chance and is paying off for La Tri in the two years that he has been in office.
World Cup 2022 Guide
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