Review: Ecuador vs Honduras- E. Valencia Carries Ecuador All the Way

As Honduras and Ecuador lost their opening games in Group E, both Latin American teams really needed this win in order to get near to the 16^th round. And hearing that Switzerland was completely destroyed by France 2-5, both teams now had hope that they can knock Switzerland off from reaching the 16^th round (well only one team will advance besides France, so…).

Honduras usually boasts physical and athletic style that often hits nerves of opponents. But the problem for Honduras was that Wilson Palocias wasn’t able to play for this game as he received two yellow cards in their first game against France. This game was probably the most intensive game in the Group E as both teams are just desperate for the 16^th round (I wonder how much money people betted on this). But in the end, Ecuador defeated Honduras 2-1 and they seem to be set going to the 16^th round (thanks to Switzerland’s terrible game against France).

As the whistle blew, both teams started to get physical during the game. 4 seconds in, Ecuador’s player was fouled badly by Honduras. I have never seen the game that got pretty intense in the very beginning. Shortly after, Honduras drew the yellow card on 7^’ as Victor Bernandez committed a foul (seriously?). Bodies were flying everywhere as both teams put everything for this game.

Another problem for Honduras was that their defensive side was not getting their job done because they got too careless. Honduras’s defense had always been in center of criticisms because they were always step behind when responding against counterattacks. Overall, both teams had many opportunities to win the possession of the game but turnovers in midfield had made these teams even.

Finally, Honduras got to score the first goal of the game as Carlo Costly had a free run from Valladares’s (Honduras’s goalkeeper) pass on 30^’. Dominguez couldn’t really do anything about this situation as Costly’s goal was created during one-to-one play. But Hondura’s lead was cut short in three minutes as E. Valencia scored the equalizer on 33^’ (Seriously Honduras? Where were you when Valencia was open in the penalty box?) Big disappointment for Honduras as they failed to keep the lead.

But Ecuador had the chance to double the score as they had two set pieces on 43’. They could have scored because Honduras’s backline couldn’t stay with Ecuador’s attackers but luck didn’t play well and the half time whistle was blown as they exit the field 1-1.

Second half started and Honduras had a golden chance to extend the score to 2-1 as their defender, Brayan Bekeles, shot the ball towards the net on 46’ but wasn’t lucky enough. There were some sloppy plays as game goes on, but it’s understandable since they all desperately want to go to the 16^th round. I saw that Ecuador changed their strategy to keeping their ball in their own side similar to Spain’s tiki-taka (copycat!).

And then, as we all waited, Valencia scored another goal for Ecuador as he finished the set piece with a header on 65^’. This guy’s just unstoppable when he has the ball. He carried the team out whenever Ecuador needed him. With one goal deficit, Honduras desperately tried to change the tide back but it seemed like Ecuador’s defense didn’t feel challenged at all.

But things got ugly again as Montero and Costly got into a fight as Montero was pushed by Costly. Trying to retaliate against Costly, Montero received a yellow card on 80’, making it third yellow for Ecuador today. Seriously, these guys really need to calm down. Too many dumb fight happened because of tackles.

What really sucked during this game was that refs cancelled E. Valencia’s third goal because they thought he scored at offside. Really bad call from refs when this should have been a goal. Valencia could have left the game with hat trick but I guess not. Nevertheless, Ecuador dominated this game and they are now closer to the 16^th round as Switzerland’s road is completely jeopardized because of too many goals conceded against France.

Starting XI’s

Ecuador (4-4-2): Alexander Domínguez; Walter Ayoví, Frickson Erazo, Jorge Guagua, Juan Carlos Paredes; Jefferson Montero, Christian Noboa, Carlos Gruezo, Antonio Valencia; Enner Valencia, Felipe Caicedo
Honduras (4-3-3): Noel Valladares; Emilio Izaguirre, Maynor Figueroa, Víctor Bernárdez, Brayan Beckeles; Andy Najar, Roger Espinoza, Jorge Claros, Óscar Boniek García; Carlo Costly, Jerry Bengtson.

Man of the Match

MOM goes to Enner Valencia for this game. During past two games, Ecuador scored three goals and E. Valencia scored all of them. He’s always there whenever team needs him in the game. He was an excellent finisher as he scored some of his goals during set pieces. I expect E. Valencia to make some noises against France for their third match. He’s Ecuador’s hope in order to go to the 16^th.

Player Ratings

Ecuador

Domiguez 8- Although you can’t blame him for the opening goal, he saved every cross and shot made from Honduras after. Great performance put up by him.
Paredes 7- He had a little bit difficulty getting used to the game but when he settled in, he put a brilliant performance. He was responsible for creating a chance for E. Valencia to score an equalizer.
Guagua 5- What’s up with him? Weakest defender in the team. It’s his fault that Costly scored on him. After that, he really didn’t put great defense.
Erazo 6.5- Same as Paredes, had an awkward beginning. Almost choked during Honduras’s crosses. But he had a decent performance.
Ayovi 7- Improved from previous game against Switzerland. Proved against Honduras how important he is for Ecuador’s backline.
A. Valencia 5.5- Had a better game than last one but had a tough time against Honduras’s midfield. Couldn’t see him in action a lot.
Noboa 6.5- Better passing and great reading throughout the game comparing to other two midfielders. Wasn’t really able to dominate the weak Honduras’s midfield.
Minda 6- Silent throughout the game but more defensive comparing other two midfielders.
Montero 5.5- Tried hard but struggled during the game. Had good chances on second half, but blew them.
E. Valencia 9- This guy was a beast in the game. He shined when the team needed him the most. He is the reason why Switzerland and Honduras had a tough time playing against Ecuador.
Caicedo 6- Very aggressive throughout the game but bad at ball handling.
Mendez 6- The veteran of the team. Although he failed to make an impact like Drogba or Pirlo but he played well when he came in as a sub.
Gruezo 5- Not much of impact because he came in for last 7 minutes.

Honduras

Valladares 6.5- You can’t really fault him because he didn’t have chances against E. Valencia. But he did what he had to do as a goalie.
Izaguirre 5- Should have stayed where he was… Creating counterattacks is fun but because of him, Ecuador found a few open spaces.
Figueroa 7- only Honduras’s defender who did his best. Intercepted many passes from Ecuador.
Bernardez 4.5- Seriously? Had to get a yellow card when the game started in less than 10 minutes? Too many fouls that could have given a penalty kick for Ecuador.
Beckeles 3.5- Another buddy who created too many fouls. Completely left E. Valencia open on the penalty box. His fault for causing Honduras lose the lead.
Garcia 4.5- In and out of his position too many times. Stay where you are!
Espinoza 7- One of a few Hondurans who tried to get the game going.
Garrido 4- He played?
Claros 6- One of the better players in the game. Was able to break a few counterattakcs.
Costly 8- The most involved player throughout the team. Gave Ecuador’s center backs hard time throughout the game.
Bengston 6- Got frustrated easily. But he did his best but Costly did better.
J.C. Garcia 6- Decent job holding out A. Valencia. Should have gone forward when Honduras was counterattacking.
Martinez 7- He had an impact for the team when he subbed in for last 20 minutes. Because of him, Honduras’s sloppy passes improved.

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