South America qualifiers

[Maradona37]

Ecuador are good to be fair - especially at home at altitude.

But what I watched (which was only about half the game, half an eye on it), Brazil didn't offer a lot.

 

[Maradona37]

Generally whole Ecuador defense really good

Pacho also a good defender. Like their fullbacks as well

A lot of people don't like Estupinan as a player - I think he's pretty good. Not that familiar with the guy at RB.

 

[jaype]

Golazooo. Arg so smooth. Bring Julian Deco pls

 

[jaype]

Ecuador are good to be fair - especially at home at altitude.

But what I watched (which was only about half the game, half an eye on it), Brazil didn't offer a lot.

Ecuador are the 2nd best team in the qualifiers, not just in position but their gameplay is solid. They have a good generation and are well coached.

 

[Maradona37]

Ecuador are the 2nd best team in the qualifiers, not just in position but their gameplay is solid. They have a good generation and are well coached.

Indeed. They'd have even more points if not for the three deducted for the Byron Castillo fiasco too. They play well. Ecuador have actually been a solid team in South America for the last twenty five years and made several World Cups. Good to see their improvement this century.

 

[Maradona37]

I think I said it before, but it's shocking how bad Chile have become. Their golden generation of 1984-1988 births mostly aged and now they are bottom of qualifying section. Their' golden generation' (relatively speaking) was about the same time as Belgium's. I guess you can't expect smaller nations to keep producing players of the very high quality of Sanchez, Vidal, De Bruyne, Hazard, Courtois, Kompany etc.

 

[khaled_a_d]

I think I said it before, but it's shocking how bad Chile have become. Their golden generation of 1984-1988 births mostly aged and now they are bottom of qualifying section. Their' golden generation' (relatively speaking) was about the same time as Belgium's. I guess you can't expect smaller nations to keep producing players of the very high quality of Sanchez, Vidal, De Bruyne, Hazard, Courtois, Kompany etc.

Teams like Chile and Uruguay suffers from the greed of agents and clubs.

Talents will move from their domestic league to the highest bidder, and that is usually in USA, Brazil, Argentina or gulf countries. And then they continue in treadmill of stagnation. When they could gave joined smaller clubs in Europe and developed their careers.

Look at U20 team from Uruguay that won a WC, basically none if them reached anything in Europe or the NT.

 

[Maradona37]

Teams like Chile and Uruguay suffers from the greed of agents and clubs.

Talents will move from their domestic league to the highest bidder, and that is usually in USA, Brazil, Argentina or gulf countries. And then they continue in treadmill of stagnation. When they could gave joined smaller clubs in Europe and developed their careers.

Look at U20 team from Uruguay that won a WC, basically none if them reached anything in Europe or the NT.

Yeah that is true too. There's a lot of corruption and dodginess abound.

It's still a real shame to see so much talent squandered and not reach its potential though. We all know South America is probably the major hotbed of football talent. I have no doubt there's loads of talent there and it isn't reaching its potential for reasons you mention.

 

[Maradona37]

On the other hand it's good to see Paraguay coming back a bit in this qualification cycle. They have had a difficult time in recent years, but looks like they'll qualify comfortably for this edition.

I remember watching them in the days of Chilavert in the late 90s, Santa Cruz, Cardozo, Acuna etc. Then watching them get to the final of the 2011 Copa America.

Always quite liked them as a national team so interested to see how they do next summer (like I say it's safe to assume they'll qualify).