A thoroughly enjoyable opening day to the championship in Ecuador saw nine goals in the opening two games with several players quick to make a good impression.
Ecuador U17 2-1 Bolivia U17 (click for highlights)
The hosts got us underway in Latacunga with their match against Bolivia and found themselves two goals up inside 25 minutes which was harsh on Bolivia. Luis Batioja and Kevin Mercado scored within about two minutes of each other. Batioja scored after a corner with a nice, almost clipped finish which found the top left corner via a deflection. Mercado's goal was created by a sumptuous pass by Jose Cevallos which put him through for a one-on-one with the Bolivian 'keeper which he finished simply.
The two goals visibly deflated Bolivia and it wasn't until five minutes into the second half that they found some inspiration. It came from a player enjoying an increasing reputation in his home country, captain and number 10: Roberto Silva. Picking the ball up inside the Ecuador half he beat one man before smashing the ball into the top left from at least twenty yards. A great goal.
Silva's goal perhaps raised Bolivian spirits and they started to play a lot better once they sensed a way back into the game. However they were unable to inflict a real spell of dominance on proceedings and could not find an equaliser. They had long range efforts, as did Ecuador and despite both teams coming very close at times, neither were able to fashion clear-cut scoring chances and therefore any more goals.
Notable performances / players to watch next time:
ECUADOR: Luis Batioja, Kevin Mercado, Jose Cevallos
BOLIVIA: Roberto Silva, Alex Pontons
Argentina U17 4-2 Peru U17 (click for highlights)
A great game in which Argentina came back from being two goals behind. Peru took the lead after four minutes after a corner eventually found Raziel Garcia on the edge of the area. A great left-footed finish across goal found the bottom right corner. That pretty much set the tone for the opening twenty minutes as Peru looked wonderful in possession while Argentina struggled to find any sort of rhythm.
One problem for the Peruvians which gradually became more and more evident was the sheer number of fouls they were giving away around their area. Argentina came close from resulting free-kicks but Peru were not properly punished until the twenty-third minute when Miguel Araujo was deservedly sent off. This unfortunately also meant the end of the match for goalscorer Garcia who was tactically substituted as a result. The red card provoked a reaction from Argentina who started to apply more pressure but surprisingly it was Peru who got the next goal. An absolutely superb pass by Horacio Benincasa played Andy Polo into a one-on-one situation with the Argentina goalkeeper. Polo converted and Peru were two nil up.
Their first goal had bread confidence throughout the side in an attacking sense and, after riding their luck, Peru were again charming with their freedom and creativity going forward. However, shortly before half-time their incessant fouling caught up with them once again as they conceded a penalty. It was won by Federico Andrada who, whilst getting into good positions had been wasteful in front of goal. Leandro Paredes scored a good penalty after coming close a few times earlier in the half.
The equaliser for Argentina came seven minutes into the second half after the two wide players: Brian Ferreira and Lucas Ocampos combined. They had been switching flanks regularly throughout the game which was interesting and in this case it was a good run and cross from Ferreira that set up Ocampos for a headed goal. Numerical parity was also restored in terms of players on the pitch soon after Argentina brought the scores level. Marcos Pinto received a second yellow card for a foul on the impressive Alexander Ponce.
After chances for both teams it was Argentina who got the next goal; a good solo effort from Ferreira capped an impressive performance and was no more than he deserved. Argentina sealed the win three minutes from time thanks to a fantastic goal by substitute Lucas Pugh. He intercepted the ball and crashed it into the top left corner from nearly 25 yards out. Peru had quite a few chances in the closing stages but were unable to take them and one had to feel a little regretful for them after some really entertaining attacking play. Still, their defending was disappointing and Argentina deserved a lot of credit for an emphatic comeback.
Notable performances / players to watch next time:
ARGENTINA: Federico Andrada, Enzo Beloso, Leandro Paredes, Lucas Ocampos, Brian Ferreira, Lucas Pugh
PERU: Raziel Garcia, Horacio Benincasa, Andy Polo, Alexander Ponce, Carlo Urquiaga
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