Roundup Newsletter Matchweek #6
LigaPro continues to be a tight affair with some competitive matches, goals, and plenty of draws.
01/04/2021
U. Católica 1 - Macará 1 (Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa)
The matchweek got underway with a back and forth match between Macará and Universidad Católica. In the first-half, Universidad Católica dominated possession and imposed a high-tempo match style that Macará struggled to match for the first 30 minutes. During this spell, Tévez managed to score a highly-technical goal against his former team to put the Little Blue Train ahead at home. 1-0
The second-half was a lot more even, with Macará imposing their style and using their substitutions correctly to introduce Enson Rodríguez who was the conductor that Macará needed. In the 60th minute, Santacruz anticipated his defender and finished cooly past Galíndez to bring Macará back on level terms. 1-1
After scoring, Macará dropped back and defended well to take a point back to Ambato.
CD Olmedo 2- CS Emelec 3 (Estadio Olímpico de Riobamba)
Olmedo, who were still to score in the league, received Emelec who began the season strongly. The teams sruggled to get a hold of the ball, and no team seemed to have control on the match. This allowed Olmedo to press up high like they have all season and after intercepting a poor pass from the Emelec defense they worked the ball up to Jaimen Ayoví who showed his class to finish past Ortiz’ on his left hand post. 1-0
Not long after, Emelec responded using their strength in set-pieces. After crossing the ball, an Emelec player rose up and got a touch to the ball which fell to Leguizamón who made no mistake to bring things back level. 1-1
The second-half began with Emelec on the front foot, but unable to create anything. In the 50th minute, an outswinging corner kick found Sosa, who cushioned a header to Barceló who controlled expertly and volleyed it in past a stranded Cevallos. 1-2
During the second half, Olmedo went down to 10 men and this mean that Emelec had full control of the match. They tried to find spaces, but ultimately were unable to find a way past Olmedo. That was until the 85th minute, when Rodríguez took a speculative free kick from far out. The ball tamely approached Cevallos who unfortunately was unable to control the ball and spilled it onto the path of Sosa who simply tapped it into an empty net. 1-3
When the match seemed all but wrapped up, a clever play by Olmedo saw them work the ball well up into the final third. García received the ball right outside the area, took a touch, and unleashed aun ustoppable shot that flew into the keeper’s upper left-hand corner to create a nervy final 2 minutes for Emelec, who were able to hold on for the 3 points. 2-3
02/04/2021
Delfín SC 1- Deportivo Cuenca 1 (Estadio Jocay)
The second day of the matchweek kicked off with a clash of styles between Delfín and Deportivo Cuenca. The team from Manta were clearly dominating possession and were keeping it well in the midfield. Meanwhile, Duró’s men were comfortably defending deep like they have done for the whole season.
In the 21st minute, Delfín were finally able to find the breakthrough. After a quick transition from defense to attack. García passed the ball behind Cuenca’s midfield line which was collected by Ortíz. Ortíz took a single touch and once again played a defense splitting touch to Jhon Jairo Cifuente who finished past Heras who should’ve done better on his left-hand post. 1-0
After the goal, Delfín brought down the intensity and were comfortable holding on to the lead. This meant that Deportivo Cuenca were entrusted with much more of the ball. It would take a set-piece for the Red Men to come back level. A corner kick was delivered into the heart of the penalty area, Eric Tovo flung himself on the cross and met it to put it past Alain Baroja to equalise and take a hard-fought point back to Cuenca. 1-1
LDU (Q) 0- Mushuc Runa SC 0 (Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado)
Mushuc Runa visited the former Copa Libertadores Champions at their home ground. Cumbicus opted for his 5 man defensive line which has brought him joy against the stronger side of the division. Meanwhile, Pablo Repetto opted to play with his classic 4-2-3-1 formation that he uses against teams he is expected to defeat.
The first-half was contested heavily in midfield. With both teams trying to get control of possession. LDU slightly won the battle but were unable to exert their dominance on the match. Ultimately, it would be Mushuc Runa who would come closer to breaking the deadlock as the teams went level into half-time.
The second-half began similarly to the first. This time, however, LDU were able to exert their dominance and control possession. In spite of this, they were unable to control the tempo of the match and in spite of having nearly 70% possession it was Mushuc Runa who seemed the more comfortable on the pitch. Ricardo Ade was imperious in defense, Marco Mosquera cleverly patrolled his front 5, and ultimately Mushuc Runa collected a point which in reality should’ve been 3 as in the final minutes of the match the Little Poncho hit the post with a beautiful curling effort.
Barcelona SC 2- Independiente del Valle 2 (Estadio Monumental)
The two best teams in the division (in my opinion) met for a thrilling match which ended up level in Guayaquil.
The first half was complete domination on behalf of Independiente del Valle. The team from Sangolquí, dominated every single metric of the game. They outpassed Barcelona, they dragged their lines out of position, they controlled the tempo, and ultimately confirmed their domination with two goals scored. The first came in the 25th minute, Pellerano passed the ball to Ortíz who took a quick touch onto Montenegro who unleashed a low driven shot past Burrai. 0-1
The second came towards the end of the first-half, García pressed Piñatares who panicked under pressure and lost the ball. García skipped past all of Barcelona’s defense which was out of position and fed in Ortíz who rounded Burrai and tapped into an empty net. 0-2
The game seemed over, at times Barcelona never even got close to the ball and they appeared to be chasing a lost cause. However, the second-half taught us that you should never count a Busto’s team out. The second half was different, Barcelona were much stronger in midfield, and they cut out the mistakes that they had made in the first-half. In the 60th minute, Damián Díaz shortened the scoreline, scoring a penalty confidently. 1-2
Bustos decided to change his midfield, and brought on Molina for the stranded López who did not have the best match. This further aided them in attacking with more purpose. In the 74th minute, a one-two was played by Castillo with Michael Hoyos who returned the ball into the right-hand channel. Castillo ran past the fullback and took a first-time cross which was met by the pint-sized Emmanuel Martínez with a clinical header past Ramírez. 2-2
The match ended up 2-2, and had a lot of controversy. Referee Aragón had possibly one of the worst performances of the season. Nevertheless, the teams produced a quality, entertaining match and it’s hard to see the champion of the season not coming from one of these two teams.
03/04/2021
Orense SC 0- Manta SC 1 (Estadio 9 de mayo)
The last day of the matchweek kicked off with Orense hosting Manta. After their debacle midweek (for an early match for Matchweek #7, which will be reviewed next-week) Orense were trying to bounce back.
They began brightly, holding onto the ball and patiently trying to find spaces behind Manta’s lines. Then, against the run of play, a hopefull ball was played by Manta into the area. Orense’s captain cleared the ball weakly and it fell to Angulo who unleashed a first-time volley past Silva who was unable to do anything to stop it. 0-1
The second-half was very similar to the first. Orense kept on knocking on the door but without any real danger. Managing only 3 shots on target which were contained well by Hamilton Piedra who has had a couple good matches to turn around his form that saw him struggle early on in the season.
With the win, Manta collects 3 points that will be crucial in their aims towards staying in the topflight. Meanwhile, Orense now have a tough schedule and see themselves in the bottom half of the table despite their promising performances.
9 de Octubre 1- Aucas 3 (Estadio Alberto Spencer )
Aucas visited 9 de Octubre who were coming off a surprise victory away against Emelec. The first half was played under the torrential rain as the Patriots seemed to start of brighter than their rivals. This then was translated into the scoreline as 9 de Octubre were awarded a penalty in the 6th minute for a handball. The penalty was converted by Danny Luna to put the hosts ahead. 1-0
The hosts were buoyed by the goal and kept on going forward. They had a couple of chances which were on target but did not trouble Frascarelli. The match was highly contested but it is safe to say that 9 de Octubre shaded it as the ref brought the first-half to a close.
The second-half began quite differently. Aucas had clearly shaken off their first-half lethargy to control much more of the ball, with Figueroa becoming much more active in the midfield build-up play. Their dominance and effort was rewarded in teh 53rd minute. Figueroa took the ball in his own half and took a few touches between the legs of his rivals, he then had the clarity of mind to produce the pass of the season so far. He took a half of a second to look up the pitch and pinged a beautiful ball onto Francisco Fydriszewski who finished well to the lower corner. 1-1
Shortly after the ball, Aucas brought on Ordoñez looking for a winner. Their dominance in the second-half was starting to overwhelm the hosts, who had to withstand attack after attack as Aucas threatened. The keeper produced a wonderful save to deny Fydriszewski’s brace. Later on, Aucas would be denied again by the post, and in the 81st minute, the crossbar denied them yet again.
A mere seconds later, Fydriszewski took a shot from the penalty area and it hit the post 3 times in a row before falling to Roberto Ordoñez who finally could not be denied and gave Aucas a deserved lead. 1-2
The 3 points would be confirmed in the 87th minute when Johnny Quiñonez met a Figueroa corner kick with a beautiful flick. The Johnny Quiñonez-Figueroa partnership is proving to be a fruitful one. 1-3
Técnico Universitario 3 - Guayaquil City FC. 0 (Estadio Bellavista)
A completely unrecognizable Técnico Universitario managed to get a convincing win at home. Hernández set out a very attacking side that punished a woeful Guayaquil City in 3 ocasions to keep the 3 points at home.
In a contested first half-match, Técnico Universitario scored a beautiful goal in the 19th minute with a long-range shot by Juan Jiménez. 1-0
Técnico Universitario looked very likely to add to their lead as they had a couple of shots on target that they were unable to convert their chances. Guayaquil City were struggling to compete and were second best throughout the half.
In the second-half, the Citizens were able to see more of the ball, however they never seemed dangerous and their only chance of the match came from a shot from Ordónez their substitute. Meanwhile, Técnico were looking much more dangerous and they would convert two quickfire chances first by Patta and then by Marcos Mejía a couple of minutes later. 2-0, 3-0
In spite of attempting to respond, Guayaquil City were unable to create anything meaningful and Pool Gavilanez’ men have a worrying form in the league which they will try to revert as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Técnico Universitario pick up a much needed 3 points and scored 75% of their goals this season in this match.