QUITO (AFP) - Ecuador are pleading with fans of the Andean country to be patient as they target a strong showing at the Copa America starting Friday.
Fans have become a little restless after their weekend friendly loss to a youthful Mexico side while the latter's full squad concentrated on their Gold Cup final win over the United States.
Ecuador go up against holders Brazil, Paraguay and Venezuela in what appears a tough opening group and will be pinning many of their hopes of reaching the second round in Argentina on their Manchester United star Antonio Valencia.
They start their Group B campaign against the Paraguayans on July 3 in Santa Fe but coach Reinaldo Rueda, a Colombian, is feeling the pressure after fans at the Olimpico Atahualpa stadium in Quito voiced disapproval of his side's final pre-Copa showing by whistling and chanting "ole" when the Mexicans had possession.
Some fans also chanted "Rueda out," even though he has only been in his post ten months.
The 54-year-old former Colombia and Honduras coach's record stands at two wins, seven draws and four defeats in that time but some fans would prefer to see Sixto Vizuete, an Ecuadorian in charge of the under20 side, step up to the senior job.
Valencia, who struggled to make an impression in Saturday's loss, told reporters afterwards: "It's a shame they chant like that in our country and throw bottles."
He also reflected that similar things had followed a loss to Uruguay in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers which saw Ecuador—who performed admirably in reaching the last 16 at Germany 2006—fail to reach South Africa.
Valencia pointed out that many of the squad were coming off a three-week end of season break and were only just getting into gear as the Copa looms.
Squadmate Segundo Castillo of Deportivo Quito, who had short spells with Everton and Wolves in England two years ago, complained that the fans "don't support us." And he added that the squad's chief target is to mould a side for the 2014 World Cup.
But Valencia insisted that at the Copa "we'll see a different Ecuador with a more positive attitude" than that seen against the Mexicans.
Ecuador have never managed better than fourth at the Copa, the world's oldest international tournament stretching back to 1916.
Fans have become a little restless after their weekend friendly loss to a youthful Mexico side while the latter's full squad concentrated on their Gold Cup final win over the United States.
Ecuador go up against holders Brazil, Paraguay and Venezuela in what appears a tough opening group and will be pinning many of their hopes of reaching the second round in Argentina on their Manchester United star Antonio Valencia.
They start their Group B campaign against the Paraguayans on July 3 in Santa Fe but coach Reinaldo Rueda, a Colombian, is feeling the pressure after fans at the Olimpico Atahualpa stadium in Quito voiced disapproval of his side's final pre-Copa showing by whistling and chanting "ole" when the Mexicans had possession.
Some fans also chanted "Rueda out," even though he has only been in his post ten months.
The 54-year-old former Colombia and Honduras coach's record stands at two wins, seven draws and four defeats in that time but some fans would prefer to see Sixto Vizuete, an Ecuadorian in charge of the under20 side, step up to the senior job.
Valencia, who struggled to make an impression in Saturday's loss, told reporters afterwards: "It's a shame they chant like that in our country and throw bottles."
He also reflected that similar things had followed a loss to Uruguay in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers which saw Ecuador—who performed admirably in reaching the last 16 at Germany 2006—fail to reach South Africa.
Valencia pointed out that many of the squad were coming off a three-week end of season break and were only just getting into gear as the Copa looms.
Squadmate Segundo Castillo of Deportivo Quito, who had short spells with Everton and Wolves in England two years ago, complained that the fans "don't support us." And he added that the squad's chief target is to mould a side for the 2014 World Cup.
But Valencia insisted that at the Copa "we'll see a different Ecuador with a more positive attitude" than that seen against the Mexicans.
Ecuador have never managed better than fourth at the Copa, the world's oldest international tournament stretching back to 1916.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire