Three important victories
These last few nights have been good ones for Ecuadorian soccer.
On Thursday night, in Riobamba, our sub-20 team defeated Paraguay to advance to the second round of the South American championship, of which we are the hosts.
Our second goal was a golazo. Our first was narrowly offside, but no less valuable – without it, our qualification would have depended upon the infamous Drawing of Lots.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
In Guayaquil last night, Barcelona staged the Noche Amarilla, the season-starting gala. They played against Juan Aurich of Peru.
Last year, Barcelona’s “guest” player at this gala was the aged Ronaldinho of Brazil. This year it was the aged Uruguayan, Diego Forlán, the best player of the 2010 World Cup. Forlán put on a show, contributing to all three of Barcelona’s goals.
All night, the spectators were fervid. They ignited flares and fireworks. They unfurled a banner with this homage to Barcelona:
Meanwhile, a smaller but no less dense crowd was gathered in Sangolquí. Last year’s Libertadores runners-up, Independiente del Valle, were playing in the pre-group stage of that tourney against a Peruvian team, Municipal. When I turned to the YouTube broadcast, IDV were losing. “So much for Independiente this year,” I thought. Then, valiantly, IDV scored in injury time. The Ecuadorians jumped up and down. The Peruvians, disqualified, slumped on the field.
On Thursday night, in Riobamba, our sub-20 team defeated Paraguay to advance to the second round of the South American championship, of which we are the hosts.
Our second goal was a golazo. Our first was narrowly offside, but no less valuable – without it, our qualification would have depended upon the infamous Drawing of Lots.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
In Guayaquil last night, Barcelona staged the Noche Amarilla, the season-starting gala. They played against Juan Aurich of Peru.
Last year, Barcelona’s “guest” player at this gala was the aged Ronaldinho of Brazil. This year it was the aged Uruguayan, Diego Forlán, the best player of the 2010 World Cup. Forlán put on a show, contributing to all three of Barcelona’s goals.
All night, the spectators were fervid. They ignited flares and fireworks. They unfurled a banner with this homage to Barcelona:
HAS NACIDO HUMILDE Y
ERES MÁS GRANDE QUE EL SOL
ERES MÁS GRANDE QUE EL SOL
Meanwhile, a smaller but no less dense crowd was gathered in Sangolquí. Last year’s Libertadores runners-up, Independiente del Valle, were playing in the pre-group stage of that tourney against a Peruvian team, Municipal. When I turned to the YouTube broadcast, IDV were losing. “So much for Independiente this year,” I thought. Then, valiantly, IDV scored in injury time. The Ecuadorians jumped up and down. The Peruvians, disqualified, slumped on the field.