The selection of Ecuador prevailed over that of Cape Verde this Saturday in their last warm-up friendly before closing this June concentration, with a solitary goal by Jordy Caicedo from the penalty spot, in what was the first game after learning of FIFA’s resolution in favor of his participation in the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Gustavo Alfaro rotated once again to give opportunities to all his players, although there are four of them who could be considered as his ‘trustworthy men’ having repeated titles in the three friendlies played in North American territory. They are goalkeeper Alexander Domínguez, defenders Piero Hincapié and Pervis Estupiñán, and midfielder Moisés Caicedo.
Ecuador went from less to more, with Jeremy Sarmiento as the main offensive argument. He set the pace and intensity, he was also the one who put the ideas on the pitch, while Cape Verde showed direct and vertical football in each ball recovery, coming to put the defense in more than one compromise.
It was Jordy Caicedo’s goal, from a penalty, that woke up and inspired the attacking version of La Tri, finding their best minutes before the end of the first half.
This improvement continued in the second half, but there is one fact that is indisputable: set pieces continue to be the main argument for scoring goals for the Ecuadorian team. The fluidity in the game and the occasions achieved against Da Rosa’s frame never found anyone to culminate them inside the goal, frustration took over Alfaro’s team at times.
Gonzalo Plata left the field injured and in tears
The hardness of Cape Verde resulted in three yellow cards that do not compensate or reflect the negative balance with which his Ecuador tour ends. It is necessary to highlight the injuries, pending tests and evolution, of Romario Ibarra, who could barely play 21 minutes, and of a Gonzalo Plata who had to leave in tears and on a stretcher.
Jordy Caicedo was also previously substituted due to an inconvenience due to a challenge from a rival, leaving his place to a Leonardo Campana who was playing at home and was unable to reciprocate his fans with a goal.
Two victories against Nigeria and Cape Verde, plus a draw against Mexico is the balance of results left by La Tri’s tour of the United States this June.
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