Patricio Cornejo Garcés

I was not satisfied with the performance of the U-17 team of Ecuador in the three games in the group stage of the World Championship in the category. To some extent, it can be understood that his game is developing, but it has not grown from game to game and currently his level is stagnant. Considering the lack of attacking power, the luck factor was important, so the Tricolori achieved results that placed them in the round of 16.

Against Morocco, despite a 2:0 victory, Ecuador was not convincing either. You could say, practically out of nowhere, the tricolors started well when everything indicated that the duel with the Africans would end in a draw. Furthermore, in the debut, which was more than Indonesia, the national team failed to beat the home team (1-1). That’s your big ‘but’. He saved himself from defeat this Thursday against Panama. Even goalkeeper Christian Loor seemed very nervous in several parts of the game.

“This team leaves us with the feeling that they can give more,” says Diego Martínez, the Ecuador coach, after the draw with Panama at the U-17 World Cup

One of Ecuador’s big problems is its offense; He is very bad in his line of attack. Unfortunately, coach Diego Martínez came to belittle Panama. The tie at 1 with the Canaleros and a place in the round of 16 (as second in their group) makes the growth of the national team mandatory, in terms of its performance. However, given the few signs of improvement he had during the tournament, I doubt that will happen.

Ecuador’s opponent will be between Brazil, England and Iran in the round of 16 of the U-17 World Cup

Now, one of the main concerns created by the U-17 is the absence of Kenny Arroyo. The striker did not play in two matches of the World Cup, and in his debut with Indonesia he was replaced by Martínez. Without a doubt, the winger is the best player in the Ecuador team, and with the loss of Kendry Páez – who was not called up – the team needs a player like Arroyo. He is a key man and more than anything he was the link to the attack of the tricolor.

It is worth noting that Ecuador had the opportunity to qualify as the leader of their group, but Panama prevented that goal from being fulfilled. The national team has never shown that it is superior to the Panamanians, but to an already eliminated rival. La Tricolor took the lead in surprising fashion with a header from a short player, like Elkin Ruiz, who jumped a lot to score the goal. Since then, the national team has dominated. The compromise figure in the end was Oldemar Castillo, the author of the tie for the Panamanians. This boy did a disservice to Ecuador’s defense line.

Panama squandered a good number of scoring opportunities and although these actions did not cost Ecuador any goals, it must be said that the opponent had chances to win. The entire second half was played on the territory of Ecuador and finally 1-1 cost the first place in the group, which could have belonged to the national team. It seems that there is only solidity in the U17 defense because the midfield does not control the game, and the attack goes unnoticed, as if it is not there. Allen Obando was replaced, but most of the time he was alone in the attack.

In the round of 16, the opponent awaits Ecuador. Brazil, England and Iran are possible opponents, and of them, the Middle East team is the most accessible. This does not mean that the match will be easy if they play against the Iranians; They come after the victory over Brazil. But both the Brazilians and the English are teams that go to the World Cup to win it. The Auriverdes have already been crowned at the U-17 World Cup several times, and recently England have proven to be a force in this category. (OR)