 |
|
World Cup qualifying: Ecuador's Delgado at the double against Bolivia [Mon Sep 5th, 2005]
Ecuador worked hard to overcome a struggling Bolivian side in the altitude of La Paz, and almost certainly guaranteed themselves a place in next year's World Cup Finals in Germany.
Ecuador needed a win to move closer to direct qualification for the finals, and came up against a depleted Bolivia side who were sitting last in the table and just playing for pride.
In the 8th minute Agustin Delgado took advantage of a terrible defensive error, as he won the ball from Bolivian defender Doyle Vaca and his shot from outside the box deflected off a defender and squeezed into Carlos Arias right post.
From then on it was just one-way traffic, as Ecuador looked to double their lead, and Bolivia just tried to withhold the onslaught.
Ecuador came close to scoring again when an Ivan Hurtado free kick was well saved by Arias. Just a few minutes later Edison Mendez’s shot from long distance just missed the right angle of the Bolivian goal.
Agustin Delgado seemed to have scored his second of the afternoon, but his goal was disallowed for offside.
In the 41st minute Galindo crossed in a corner kick from the left and an unmarked Doyle Vaca volleyed home to level the score, and make up for his mistake that gave Ecuador the first goal.
In the second half, a motivated Ecuadorian side dominated their weak opponents and created many opportunities to take the lead once again.
In the 49th minute, Delgado outjumped a Bolivian defender and headed in a precise cross from the right for his personal double.
After the goal Ecuador came close to scoring on several occasions, and came closest when Delgado’s chipped effort came off the woodwork, after an excellent attacking move.
The victory keeps Ecuador in third spot, and almost certainly books them a ticket to next year's World Cup in Germany.
Lineups:
BOLIVIA 1: Carlos Arias, Daner Pachi (Joselito Vaca 53m), Ronald Raldes, Sergio Jauregui, Doyle Vaca, Walter Flores (Juan Carlos Arce 65m), Lorgio Alvarez, Alejandro Gomez, Gonzalo Galindo, Joaquin Botero and Limbert Mendez (Lider Paz 53m). Coach: Ovidio Messa.
ECUADOR 2: Cristian Mora, Ulises de la Cruz, Ivan Hurtado, Giovanni Espinoza, Paul Ambrosi, Marlon Ayovi (Segundo Castillo 89m), Neicer Reasco (Cristian Lara 76m), Edison Mendez, Luis Valencia (Franklin Salas 45m), Edwin Tenorio and Agustin Delgado. Coach: Luis Suarez.
Goals:
Ecuador- Agustin Delgado (8 minutes, 49 minutes).
Bolivia- Doyle Vaca (41 minutes).
Stadium: Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz (Bolivia).
Referee: Hector Baldassi (Argentina).
Gregory Sica
News headlines from around the world.