Ecuador League Roundup

Another week, another five matches in Ecuador’s top flight. Of course this weekend was dominated by the violence of the 169th Shipyard Derby between Emelec and Barcelona, but there were several other matches of note, including those featuring Ecuadorian internationals. Most notably, El Nacional moved into first place behind two goals from Ecuadorian international and new Olympiakos signing Felix Borja.

Cuenca kicked off the weekend by pulling the big upset over league leaders LDU Quito. I should say, former league leaders, considering El Nacional’s victory on Sunday. Cuenca were paced by goals from Carlos Quinonez and Walter Calderon. Liga notched a meaningless 83rd-minute score from Ecuadorian international Giovanny Espinoza. For Cuenca, it’s been a long, hard slog, but the club is no longer in last place. Thanks to goal differential, that dubious honor fell to Macara. LDU Quito now sit second, also due to goal differential. Whatever problems Liga are having right now, they need to get things in order for Tuesday’s trip to Medallin for Copa Libertadores action against Atletico Nacional.

As mentioned above, El Nacional jumped into first place with its 2-0 away win against Macara. For sixty-five minutes both teams were ineffectual, and the match remained scoreless. But the in the space of less than three minutes the Kangaroo, Ecuadorian international Felix Borja, knocked in a brace of goals to secure the win. As you may recall, Borja signed a nice contract with Greek champion Olympiakos in the past couple of days. Ah, to be 23, rich and playing football for a living. Add in two goals to send your team into first, and that’s a nice week.

Espoli overcame a two goal deficit to gain a point at Aucas. Espoli got a goal each from Gonzalo Chila and Wilson Segura, while the home team were paced by Omar Andrade and Miguel Bravo.

Olmedo continued its good form with a 1-0 win over D. Quito. With the victory, Olmedo leapfrogged Quito into third place. An 84th-minute goal from Celso Cuero was all the home team needed.

The Clasico del Astillero (Shipyard Derby), which closed out the weekend’s matches, was so explosive that one day couldn’t contain it. In the end, an eight-man Emelec held off Barcelona 3-2. You can read my full run down of that match here.