I was quite surprised to learn that Ecuador have only won 2 medals in their Olympic history and both of these by the same person; Jefferson Perez in the 20 km walk (Gold and Silver). Considering the Ecuadorians have the benefit of altitude training i would have thought they should have had more success.
But then again considering how much money the richer nations plough into their Olympic teams it could be argued that Ecuador and the other Andean nations are competing at a severe disadvantage.
This time round it looks as if they will finish medal-less with their faint hopes in the BMX, weight-lifting and boxing looking more and more remote but they may still succeed in the 200 metres and Alex Quinonez, a bricklayer from Esmeraldas who has surprised everyone to reach the final.
For many in Ecuador the Olympics have passed by un-noticed, Football is their national obsession often at the expense of other sports.
Last Sunday was the battle of the giants with Liga de Quito playing Barcelona of Guayaquil in the Casa Blanca. The entertaining 2 -2 draw helped preserve Barcelona’s lead at the top of the table while leaving Liga in 4rth.
The first 5 games of the Segunda Etage (second stage), apart from Barcelona, have gone contrary to the first stage and last years Championship. It is strange but gratifying to see a league that is so open and changeable, Liga de Loja just enjoyed one of there most successful terms in history but so far this time round have disappointed, similarly Independiente have struggled to find their previous form.
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Macará | 2 – 1 | El Nacional |  |
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Liga de Quito | 2 – 2 | Barcelona |  |
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Olmedo | 2 – 1 | Liga de Loja |  |
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Deportivo Quito | 0 – 0 | Técnico Universitario |  |
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Manta F.C. | 2 – 0 | Deportivo Cuenca |  |
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Emelec | 2 – 1 | Independiente del Valle |  |
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The real losers so far however have been Deportivo Quito who have yet to record a victory this term. Considering their investment in new players and a new coach their current form leaves them rooted to the bottom of the table with no chance of retaining their Championship.On Sunday they continued their rotten run with a poor 0 – 0 draw at home to Technico Universitario.
Manta FC have so far been the surprise team of the season and their 2 – 0 (Rosa and Chingas scoring just after half-time) home win against Deportivo Cuenca boosted them to 2nd place. Macara also secured a fine 2-1 win at home to El Nacional and rise to 5th place.
| Team | GP | W | D | L | Pts | GD | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Barcelona |
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5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 11 | +6 |
| 2. | Manta FC |
 1
|
5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | +4 |
| 3. | Emelec |
1
|
5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | +1 |
| 4. | Liga de Quito |
 2
|
5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 9 | +2 |
| 5. | Macara |
1
|
5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | -1 |
| 6. | Olmedo |
1
|
5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 | +3 |
| 7. | El Nacional |
2
|
5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 6 | +2 |
| 8. | Independiente |
|
5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 |
| 9. | Liga de Loja |
1
|
5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -4 |
| 10. | Deportivo Cuenca |
1
|
5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -4 |
| 11. | Tec. Universidad |
|
5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 | -5 |
| 12. | Deportivo Quito |
|
5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | -3 |
In the Copa Sudamerican Barcelona thumped Deportivo Tachira of Venezuela 5 – 1 to ease their passage into the next round. Perlaz, Quinonez, Oyola, Matamoros and De La Torre each got a goal before Gonzalez got a late consolation.
Next week Deportivo Quito, Liga de Loja and Emelec will try to follow Barcelona’s lead when they complete their 2nd legs.
The big match of week 6 will be Emelec vs Barcelona or the Clásico del Astillero (The Shipyard Derby) in Guayaquil. This derby is recognised as the most important and historical games in Ecuador and with Emelec only one point behind their city rivals it should be a barnstormer (unfortunately i will be in the Amazon jungle all matter of beasts and insects). All of the week 6 matches will take place on Sunday but it is no exaggeration to say that all Ecuadorian eyes will be upon the George Capwell Stadium in Guayaquil.
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Deportivo Cuenca | vs | Deportivo Quito | |
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Liga de Loja | vs | Manta F.C. | |
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Técnico Universitario | vs | Liga de Quito | |
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El Nacional | vs | Olmedo | |
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Independiente del Valle | vs | Macará | |
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Emelec | vs | Barcelona | |
Next Wednesday Ecuador will take on Chile in a money spinning friendly in Citi Field, New York home of the New York Mets (Baseball). With a large Ecuadorian and Chilean ex-pat population the match should be capacity and give Reinalda Rueda the chance to prepare his team before next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Uruguay.
Alistair McLauchlan 
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