Gustavo Alfaro’s indignation: I don’t think there is bad intention in not wanting Ecuador to go to the World Cup. I hope things are sporty from here on out

After the 1-1 draw with Brazil in Quito, the Ecuadorian coach Gustavo Alfaro revealed mixed feelings, due to the way his team gave their hearts on the field, as well as the incidence of video arbitration (VAR) in the development of the match , which for him takes away the essence of football. His statements at a post-match press conference seem like a plea addressed to Conmebol, since in June of last year a similar chapter was experienced against Peru (defeat 1-2) in the same Rodrigo Paz stadium when the VAR intervened and did not validate a foul penalty in favor of Ecuadorians.

“We are shocked by the development of the match, by the things that happened. One always asks that the resolution be defined by the virtues, successes or errors that it may commit. It was a very strange game, complex. I told Wilmar (the Colombian referee of the match), I am left with the feeling that before the corner of Brazil’s goal, it was a foul on Ángelo Preciado”, highlighted the coach.

Alfaro criticized the interruptions caused by the VAR: “There were two red cards for goalkeeper Alisson, as well as two penalties, but then the referee retracted and it wasn’t just going back, but because of the loss of time that is caused, between 4 and 5 minutes, which affects the teams for or against”.

‘It was a penalty! The referee Ostojich put the pretext that there is no intention of the Peruvian defense’

And he continued: “That’s where one comes into the subtleties of VAR, which they see microscopically or look for things to justify to one side or the other. This is taking away the essence of football”.

“From now on I ask that everything go the same way, that the reward or punishment be the performance of a team on the field of play, today we are left with the sensation of little taste,” he insisted.

“We are left with the feeling of not having been able to live a night that would have been marked for history of having beaten Brazil, if they had given us the opportunity to kick the penalty at the end of the game,” he said.

Ecuador’s coach spared no praise for his coaches.

“I want to highlight and rescue the attitude of the players for everything they gave. It already happened to us against Peru and when the VAR intervened, the team fell apart. This time the team continued to deliver and I don’t think there was bad intention of not wanting Ecuador to go to a World Cup. Conmebol and the people must understand that it is not just a National Team that wants to go to the World Cup”.

For Alfaro, once this page is closed, he needs his team to continue strong, to continue adding as many points as possible. The next confrontation will be on Tuesday, February 1 against Peru in Lima. (D)