
<p>Ecuador is off to an impressive start to its <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">2022 FIFA World Cup</a> campaign after a win and a draw against Qatar and the Netherlands, respectively. The South Americans go into their <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/nations/ecuador-national-team-tv-schedule/">last group-stage match against Senegal</a> Tuesday riding high on confidence.</p>



<p>The Ecuadorians will go into this game needing at least a point to qualify for the Round of 16. This is a team that goes for the win. It was clear by their <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/ecuador-should-continue-to-impress-against-netherlands-20221124-WST-409567.html">dominating performances</a> in their first two group games. They will be fancied to do the job against a tough, well-coached Senegal side. </p>



<h2>Ecuador has been surprise of tournament, thus far</h2>



<p>Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro can do no wrong at the moment. He brought back two tactical formations that he had not used in a long while, which have paid off immensely. In the game against Holland, he used the 3-4-3 formation.</p>



<p>Having three center-backs didn’t look like a good gamble at first because of Holland’s early goal through Cody Gakpo. As the game moved on, the Dutch couldn’t get any meaningful attacks all game long. Their lone goal was their only shot on target. They also couldn’t handle the full-backs acting as wingers. Both Ángelo Preciado and Pervis Estupiñán are having a great tournament. </p>



<p>Then there are the goalscoring exploits of Enner Valencia, a <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/22/ecuador-striker-enner-valencia-from-milkman-to-world-cup-star/">striker with an incredible story</a>. The team captain leads the team with three goals. He is so effective in disrupting opposition defenses by going in and out of the wing and central areas. The Fenerbahçe man finds himself at the right place at the right time to find himself goals, as evidenced with his goal against the Netherlands. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Netherlands vs. Ecuador Highlights | 2022 FIFA World Cup" width="500" height="281" src="https:\/\/www.youtube.com/embed/ysBE1mLjyJY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>Spirits are high in Ecuador with the fans and media. There is one lingering concern and it deals with Valencia. In both games, the 33-year-old had to be substituted for apparent injuries. Against the Netherlands on Friday, he had to be stretchered off late in the game. </p>



<h2>Other possible sources for goals</h2>



<p>Valencia has been so good for <em>La Tri</em> that <a href="https:\/\/www.ecuavisa.com/mundial-qatar-2022/seleccion-ecuador/qatar-2022-enner-valencia-no-descarta-jugar-ante-senegal-YH3779670" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecuadorian media are worried</a> that their chances of making a deep run can take a hit if Valencia gets a long-term injury. All signs point to <a href="https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/enner-valencia-ecuador-injury-world-cup-latest-golden-boot/cpxdgn1pvmoc36scimd1gk2m" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Valencia being fit for Senegal</a> but it has the media looking at how a potential replacement will be able to fare in his place in case of an injury.</p>



<p>Alfaro has started Cruz Azul forward, Michael Estrada, in both games. He is likely to start again on Tuesday against Senegal. He was Ecuador’s top goalscorer in World Cup qualification. The problem is that he is goal-less for the national team since February against Peru. Despite not yet scoring in Qatar, Estrada is playing well by doing the dirty work of winning back balls and drawing out defenses. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Eliminatorias Catar 2022 | Todos los goles de Michael Estrada para Ecuador" width="500" height="281" src="https:\/\/www.youtube.com/embed/0gtUaj3O4cg?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>Kevin Rodríguez is a young striker that is also an option if Valencia is not fully fit. Alfaro is putting a lot of trust in the 22-year-old that plays for Imbabura in the Ecuadorian second division. He has come on as a substitute in both games so far. </p>



<p>The forward was <a href="https:\/\/www.elcomercio.com/deportes/mundial-qatar/kevin-rodriguez-imbabura-mundial-qatar-debut.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">on no one’s radar before November</a>. Then he was called up for the World Cup warm-up game against Iraq. He made his debut, and then made the World Cup squad. Ecuador scouted him well, and his nine goals in Ecuador’s Serie B must have been convincing enough to call him up. </p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Asi juega Kevin Rodríguez delantero convocado al Mundial" width="500" height="281" src="https:\/\/www.youtube.com/embed/6pXEkYXsLLg?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>Rodríguez is now clearly third in line in Alfaro’s striker pecking order. Valencia and Estrada being the top two. He is a tall, lanky forward who has good technical ability. The striker can score with both his head and feet, just like Valencia. He is also similar to Valencia in that he is very physical and will challenge for any contested ball. His willingness to go deep into midfield and win balls back and start transitions to attack, exemplify why he is already an Alfaro favorite. </p>



<p>He has shown signs of promise with the little time he has played. Ecuadorian media found his call-up controversial because there was a feeling that the team needed more experienced backup forwards. </p>



<p>Gustavo Alfaro made it his message that if a player is good enough, then they are old enough. This explains his shock call-up of Kevin Rodríguez, but it is also the reason why the whole team is young, energetic, and forward-attacking. Alfaro has given youth a chance and it is paying off for <em>La Tri </em>in the two years since he has been in charge. </p>



<p><em>Photo credit: Imago</em></p>


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<h3>Guide to World Cup 2022</h3>
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Here are some resources to help you get the most out of the biggest event in soccer!
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<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/"><strong>TV Schedule:</strong></a> All the info on <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">where and when to watch</a> every game
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<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/"><strong>The Groups:</strong></a> We <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/">breakdown each group</a> and all the teams
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<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/"><strong>The Kits:</strong></a> Check out <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/">what every team will be wearing</a> on the field this fall
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<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/"><strong>Predictor:</strong></a> Play out every scenario with our <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/">World Cup Predictor</a>
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<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/"><strong>World Cup Bracket:</strong></a> Map out the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/">entire tournament</a>, from the groups to the final
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<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/"><strong>World Cup Hub:</strong></a> Your one stop for <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">everything Qatar 2022</a>
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Ecuador is looking good ahead of the final group-stage match. We take a closer look in our Ecuador Senegal preview for Qatar 2022.

Despite Enner Valencia's form, goals are still a worry for Ecuador - World Soccer Talk

Despite Enner Valencia's form, goals are still a worry for Ecuador

<p><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/andy-carroll.jpg"></a></p><div><figure class="image"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/andy-carroll.jpg"></a></figure></div><p></p>
<p><a href="worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/category/west-ham-united/">West Ham United</a> have enjoyed a start to the 2014-15 season that very few could have predicted last August.</p>
<p>After a summer of speculation regarding the future of manager Sam Allardyce, as well as disharmony amongst a fan-base unsupportive of the club’s physical and sometimes believed one-dimensional playing style, it certainly appears as though the mixture of summer signings and coaching additions have seen the Hammers’ fortunes turn right around.</p>
<p>With Andy Carroll having made his return to first-team action this month after numerous injury lay-offs stretching back to the beginning of the 2013-14 campaign the options at Allardyce’s disposal going forward are arguably the best and strongest in depth that the club has had for a number of years.</p>
<p>However, there is an issue which Allardyce will have to monitor and manage very carefully if West Ham’s performance level is to remain so high and that is the fitness of his forward line, especially given the history of injuries a couple of individuals have.</p>
<p>Carroll has a well publicised history with injuries, stretching back to his earliest days as a Liverpool player and these injuries have really caused Allardyce a number of headaches since his arrival at Upton Park.</p>
<p>If we look at last season in particular, Carroll was the club’s marquee signing at a sizable £15million yet missed large parts of the season through injury leaving West Ham’s options up front very limited and over reliant on the likes of Ricardo Vaz Te and Modibo Maiga, both not blessed with great levels of production in front of goal or consistency.</p>
<p>A lot of the Hammers’ failings last term can be put down to the manager not having a full deck of cards to play with, of course questions have to be asked about spending such a high amount of money on a player with a history of injuries, but that is another debate entirely.</p>
<p>This season there are options for West Ham with Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia both having totally transformed the team’s striking options. When Carroll was ruled out for a further four months during pre-season it was not so much of a worry with two strikers of a high quality coming in to deputise in his absence.</p>
<p>With Carroll now back, however it appears as though fate has taken another swipe at Big Sam with both Valencia and Sakho being injured at the same time with Sakho’s back injury so innocuous and born out of carelessness that it has caused West Ham to consider pursuing legal action against the Senegalese national setup.</p>
<p>Valencia’s knee injury does appear to be clearing up with the Ecuadorian star returning to training this morning, however Allardyce must be careful not to rush either player back too soon.</p>
<p>One of the great benefits of having such varied options as part of a forward line is that West Ham’s playing style can be varied. You have Sakho who is both physical and technically gifted but with a natural eye for a goal inside the penalty area, Valencia is the flair player, the center-forward who can perform equally well all across the line and create chances for himself and others and in Carroll there is the option to play a more direct style and make best use of his outstanding physical attributes.</p>
<p>Whether justified or not the supporters’ disenchantment with the club’s style last season was well documented. Of course a lot of this was due to a lack of options but this term there is no such excuse.</p>
<p>West Ham have the elements necessary to react to game situations and set up in a number of different styles and in fairness have done so thus far this campaign with supporters seeing the positive results. However, if these forwards are overused and the risk of injury is heightened, the possibility of West Ham losing these options is very realistic.</p>
<p>West Ham are in a position where due to the upcoming move to the Olympic Stadium, staying in the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/category/leagues-epl/">Premier League</a> is an absolute financial necessity. This season the club has the attacking weapons to far exceed such an expectation and if the players can be kept healthy there is no reason why the Hammers cannot solidify a top-10 finish at the end of this season, however a lot does depend on that one point, whether West Ham can keep the players healthy.</p>
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ALL POSTS TAGGED "Enner Valencia"

Ecuador

Despite Enner Valencia's form, goals are still a worry for Ecuador

Leagues: EPL

Why Sam Allardyce Must Manage His Striking Options Carefully Now Andy Carroll Has Returned