Goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais was the great figure of Saudi Arabia. (AFP)
The most common similarity when talking about optimism or pessimism focuses on describing whether the glass of water is half full or half empty, depending on how you look at it. And also the goalless friendly between Ecuador and Saudi Arabia represents him perfectly.. In an eventful duel and against a loose opponent, the team led by Gustavo Alfaro dominated and deserved more.
As expected, La Tri was the protagonist of the actions from the beginning, with a 4-3-3 then changed into two rows of four men with two well-defined points. With more possession (she finished with 60% of possession) and more situations created (more than double), the South Americans have only failed in effectiveness and the main culprit was Mohammed Al-Owais, the goalkeeper of an Arab team While he didn’t back down, he took little risk and suffered a lot when he was put under pressure.
And Lionel Scaloni will have closely followed the development of the match, given that Argentina will begin its World Cup journey against the Asians. The Green Falcon, geographically close and in style to Qatar (the first for Ecuadorians) did not attempt risky exits (it fluttered every time it got stuck behind), generated very little offensive level and feared in every air expedition. In practice, if he did not lose it was due to the excellent work of his goalkeeper.
A header from Piero Hincapié, two hits to Enner Valencia, also twice to José Cifuentes and finally to Michael Estrada, the 30-year-old footballer who develops in Al-Hilal has taken everything that was thrown at him, although surely the Professor will analyze interior doors how to improve the scoring team. As for the creation, at least it got to the approved one.
Because Ecuador was constantly, with Pervis Estupiñán and Angelo Preciado thrown by the gangs, plus the overtaking of Moisés Caicedo and the explosion over Romario Ibarra and Gonzalo Plata. The operation was there and does not stop when Alfaro puts his hand and changes the tactical design: Estrada and Valencia as two well-defined points in front of two lines out of four (Nilson Ángulo and Byron Castillo enter).
Saudi Arabia creates almost no danger for the opponent’s defensive failures: at 40 ‘Hincapié slips and leaves the ball served to Albrekan, who heads for the left and the bitten shot finds a good response from Alexander Domínguez, who just ago in Nueva Condominium of Murcia, Spain. Only nine minutes from the end they still ask for Dida, with a shot from Aldossary, the captain, with a left at the edge of the area but very concentrated, simple for the Liga de Quito player.
Another negative point left by the friendly for the South American cast was the change of Alan Franco, in the 25th minute of the first half. After an exquisite qualification for Enner Valencia, the Talleres midfielder grabbed his right hamstring and, lying on the ground with signs of pain, asked for the change (José Cifuentes came in for him). Many expectations in Ecuador to know the medical part.
A meager draw, yes, that Alfaro will certainly analyze with more positive questions than others, such as the operation and the possibilities generated. However, the lack of a goal, the status of Franco and the failure to prevail over a lower-ranking rival will be issues to be reviewed for the next test: Tuesday 27 against Japan in Germany. On the same day Lionel Messi and his companions will also pay attention to the Arabs, who will face the United States in another preparatory duel.
Ecuador, in group A
Ecuador will start the World Cup against the hosts, which they will face on Sunday 20 November at Al Bayt Stadium. Then, on Friday 25th, he goes against Holland at the Khalifa International Stadium and closes against Senegal, on Tuesday 29th, again at the Khalifa. If it goes to the round of 16, the rival will leave Group B, where England, Iran, the United States and Wales are located.
Saudi Arabia, against Argentina in Group C
Close to Qatar in terms of logistics, Saudi Arabia is – together with Argentina – one of the countries that has requested the most tickets to buy. His debut will be against Albiceleste on Tuesday 22 November at the Lusail Stadium. Four days later he will face Poland and close the zone against Mexico on Wednesday 30. If he manages to get into the next instance, he would face one of Group D, where France, Denmark, Australia and Tunisia are located.
Source: Clarin
