SANGOLQUI, Ecuador (AP) — The grounds of Ecuador’s youth academy Independiente del Valle, an emerging force in South American soccer, are in a frenzy. While 12- to 13-year-olds play casual games, older youngsters practice in small touches under the supervision of coaches, who tell them to keep pace and watch the ball intelligently.
Many of the club’s coaches work tirelessly to hone the players’ talent, and they do so in an environment of strict rules.
About 150 young people exercise at the clubhouse in Sangolquí, the municipality with the highest population at the time in the province of Pichincha and nicknamed “the center of the valley”. Qatar World Cup after missing the tournament 4 years ago.
Of the 28 players selected by Ecuadorian coach Gustavo Alfaro for two friendlies in September, 12 had been trained in the youth divisions of the 64-year-old club that has so far won this year’s Copa Sudamericana. 2007 and also played in the Copa Libertadores final in 2016.
The club prioritizes education, with many players completing their best school program.
Among them are players such as Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapié, 20, Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, 21, and Real Valladolid winger Gonzalo Plata, 22. All three were unknown to Ecuadorian enthusiasts until recently. All three came from the academy of Independiente. del Valle.
Alfaro, who joined via Ecuador in mid-2020 after Jordi Cruyff left without ever training in a match for the national team, has taken credit for Independiente del Valle’s flagship factory. He turned to players of the club to start the renewal of his team, despite the complaint he won for leaving out of his team some veterans.
“We need a seal of quality, we need that DNA not only to be on the court, but also in our travels, in our hotels, in their studios,” Independiente sports director Roberto Arroyo told The Associated Press. “In the youth divisions, we need Independiente to be the maximum productive dressed, the maximum punctual, the one who cleans the locker room after use. “
When many academy players showed up for the start of high school on Aug. 18, 13-year-old Jefferson Camacho, the master of ceremonies, dressed in a spotless suit and black tie, and carried out his duties with confidence. Many of his teammates may simply have done the work as well.
“We teach young people that their effects are surely their responsibility, there are no excuses or culprits for not being the most productive,” said Juan Martinez, coach of the under-19 segment of the club and coordinator of the players who join the senior category. team. . « Our players will have to conform to our rules and regulations. We give them the most productive base via values.
When a young user has adjustment problems, psychologists, teachers, and coaches work together to make sure they succeed over their problems.
“There are players who couldn’t make it to their best graduation from school, but sent warm messages to their teammates,” Arroyo said, adding that the club has a task called Reinvent ED for player education.
The assignment includes weekly objectives and tutors, coaching staff and even club officials, who at least once a week observe categories and communicate to teachers about the development of their players.
“Two players came to me to ask the club to go to university. We are making contacts to be able to them,” Arroyo said.
Arroyo said the club’s formula had worked so well that it is now promoting 18- and 19-year-olds, not just those over 25. In August, Independiente authorized the transfer of 18-year-old defender Joel Ordóñez to Club Brugge. and 19-year-old midfielder Anthony Valencia to Antwerp.
The graduates of Independiente del Valle give a renewed air to Ecuador with an average age of 25. 3 years. Alfaro’s challenge at the World Cup is to qualify for the quarterfinals, a step beyond the 2006 result in the tournament in Germany.
In Qatar, Ecuador will play hosts Netherlands and Senegal in Group A. The team will face Qatar in the opening match of the tournament on November 20.
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