Ecuador’s veteran captain Ener Valencia couldn’t maintain again tears and apologized to his nation for the workforce’s failure to achieve the knockout stage of the World Cup in Qatar.
But Valencia, whose workforce got here near reaching the final 16 and matching Ecuador’s earlier greatest efficiency in 2006, was rapidly consoled by the followers, who chanted “La Tri” (The Tricolor) for the superb efficiency. impressed.
“We apologize to all of Ecuador,” Valencia mentioned after Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to African champions Senegal.
“We didn’t expect it, we were very happy with what we were doing… unfortunately we didn’t live up to Ecuador’s expectations,” he mentioned.
However, the 33-year-old stays the hero at dwelling.
Ecuador’s all-time prime scorer scored three targets in a 2-0 opening win over Qatar and a 1-1 draw in opposition to the Netherlands as they deservedly received and secured the knockout stage.
Always happy with you! https://t.co/zSbrxOz7TB
— FEF 🇪🇨 (@FEFecuador) November 29, 2022
There would have been a draw in opposition to Senegal, however Ecuador paid for 2 lapses in focus to offer away a penalty after which scored a second straight aim after the thrill of trailing 1–1.
“Unfortunately it’s football, it bites you,” mentioned defender Angel Preciado. “We are very sorry that we were not able to move forward and we thank our countrymen for their full support.”
Ecuadorian followers had been saddened but in addition proud that their Forty fourth-ranked workforce had put in such a spectacular efficiency.
“They gave their all and didn’t win in the end, but they showed they can compete with the bigger teams,” mentioned 36-year-old Margarita Vidal at a park within the coastal metropolis of Guayaquil.
“Ecuador is talked about and known in many countries, it is an achievement that no one can take away from us.”
The Ecuadorian media had been united of their reward of coach Gustavo Alfaro who remodeled the workforce with an injection of latest expertise to enrich Valencia’s expertise.
“Youth: Gustavo Alfaro’s legacy for 2026,” was the headline of El Comercio, Ecuador’s most important newspaper because it awaits the subsequent World Cup.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
