Yeah, I know the focus here is on big-name, under-performing Brazil, but how about some equal time for the guys from around the equator?
I think their play was somewhat accomplished. I have a lot of time for Luis Fernandez Suarez as a technician and maybe it won't be long before we find him attached to a team with some history outside of South America if his association with Ecuador ends. I can't imagine that he would opt to return to Colombia at the expense of further travels.
Did anyone note the absence of Kaviedes (remember the Spidey-mask celebrations from last year's World Cup?) due to injury and Agustin Delgado absent as well coming off suspension in May due to a brawl in the domestic league (omitted due to lack of competitive play coming off the suspension ... )
Anyway, now that the match is over and Ecuador will head home ... Suarez's job is up in the air because it's a logical juncture for the team to rebuild coming off 2 successive WC qualifications and aging players ... as I understand it the federation will decide this week or next whether Suarez keeps the job, but IMV the dude seems to have developed a firm understanding of Ecuatorian football ... from the way he's talking he wants to keep it to prepare a squad for October ... says he wants to examine 60-70 players.
With several of their WC players having gained overseas contracts after Germany and the trajectory they are on ... if they let go Suarez one wonders whether movement towards a non-South American coach could be in the works going into WC qualifiers ... and given the lament going into Germany that unlike the South American powerhouses its players lacked the experience of playing European competition. Time will tell, but this is one 'local' coach that looks the part.
