Ecuador got off to an impressive start in its 2022 FIFA World Cup crusade after a win and draw against Qatar and the Netherlands respectively. The South Americans go into their final organizational-level match against Senegal on Tuesday with complete confidence.
The Ecuadorians will enter this adjustment needing at least one point to qualify for the knockout stages. This is a team that aims for victory. This is clear from their dominant performances in their first two games of organization. They are expected to do the task against a difficult and well-trained Senegalese team.
Ecuadorian coach Gustavo Alfaro can’t pass right now. He brought two tactical formations that he had not used for a long time, both of which were tremendously worthwhile. In the match against the Netherlands, he used the 3-4-3 formation.
Having 3 central defenders didn’t seem like a smart bet at first due to Holland’s first goal through Cody Gakpo. As the adjustment progressed, the Dutch may simply not get any significant attack on the adjustment. His sole purpose was his only shot on goal. They may also not be responsible for the sides that act as wingers. Angelo Preciado and Pervis Estupiñán made a wonderful tournament.
Then there are the goal-scoring feats of Enner Valencia, a striker with history. The team captain leads the team with 3 purposes. It is very effective in disrupting opposing defenses when entering and exiting the lateral and central areas. The Fenerbahçe boy digs himself up in the right position at the right time to locate purposes, as evidenced by his opposite purpose to the Netherlands.
In Ecuador, spirits are raised with fans and the media. There is a lingering fear and fears Valencia. In either match, the 33-year-old had to be substituted for obvious injuries. Against Holland on Friday he had to stretch at the end of the match.
Valencia has been so smart with La Tri that Ecuadorian media fear their chances of making a deep run could be compromised if Valencia is injured in the long term. All the symptoms point to Valencia having compatibility with Senegal, however, the media wonder how a possible repositioning will be to manage in his position in case of injury.
Alfaro pitched Cruz Azul ahead of Michael Estrada in either game. He is expected to start again on Tuesday against Sénégal. He is Ecuador’s most sensible scorer in World Cup qualifying. The challenge is that he hasn’t scored for the national team since February against Peru. Although he has yet to score in Qatar, Estrada plays well doing the dirty pictures of recovering balls and stretching defenses.
Kevin Rodriguez is a young striker who is also an option if Valencia are in their best form. Alfaro has a lot of confidence in the 22-year-old who plays for Imbabura in Ecuador’s current division. He has come as a substitute in either match. heretofore.
The attacker wasn’t on anyone’s radar until November. He was then called up for the World Cup warm-up match against Iraq. He debuted and was later part of the World Cup roster. Ecuador saw him well and his nine goals in Ecuador. Serie B will have to have convinced enough to call him.
Rodriguez is now obviously third in Alfaro’s hierarchy. Valencia and Estrada are the first two. He’s a wonderful striker who has intelligent technical skills. The striker can score with a header and standing, just like Valencia. He is also similar to Valencia in that he is very physical and will challenge any contested ball. balls and begin transitions to attack, illustrates why he is already a favorite of Alfaro.
He showed promising symptoms with the short time he played. The Ecuadorian media discovered that his call-up was debatable as there was a feeling that the team needed more experienced substitute strikers.
Gustavo Alfaro received his message that if a player is smart enough, then he’s old enough. That explains Kevin Rodriguez’s surprise call, but it’s also why the team as a whole is young, full of life and offensive. Alfaro has given young people a chance and is paying off for La Tri in the two years he has been at the helm.
Photo credit: Imago