Ecuador may have been insulted by Venezuela's decision to send its "B" team into the altitude at Quito and save its best squad for Argentina next Tuesday. Let's hope for Venezuela's sake that they do not make such a foolish decision again. Ecuador were anything but gracious hosts and quite honestly deserved the win the match by a much wider margin were it not for the valiant efforts of Venezuela goalkeeper Renny Vega. Alas, the hubris of La Vinotinto's manager Cesar Farias was punished by the soccer gods. Antonio Valencia of Manchester United absolutely annihilated the Venezuelans by consistently driving down their right flank against minimal resistance. Ecuador scored a well-deserved opener after Valencia's cross was headed off the far post by Cristian Suarez and the rebound bounced perfectly for Jaime Ayovi (pictured, 17 in yellow) to head the ball home at the quarter hour mark. The lead was doubled when another Valencia cross this time found the head of unmarked Chucho Benitez on the six-yard line. Ecuador's goalkeeper Maximo Banguera (pictured, white in hat) made a great save on a free kick from Jose Manuel Rey (pictured, 3 in maroon) at full stretch. Ecuador took the 2-0 lead into the break.There was to be no repeat of Rey's heroics from 2007 when a midfield free kick provided the only goal in a 1-0 Venezuela victory. In fact, captain Rey received a second yellow card and was ejected in minute 78, his second card in six minutes. The card did not affect the game, however, as Venezuela had no ideas on offense and Ecuador appeared content with the result. The 2-0 scoreline boosts Ecuador's morale as they go into their rest day, whereas Venezuela look rather stupid for saving their "A" team for their home match against Argentina in four days' time.
Goals
Ecuador
Jaime Ayovi 15
Cristian Benitez 28
Match Reports:
Highlights:
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