World Cup 2010 Qualifying Games

That's right I got to go to two World Cup Qualifying Games: Ecuador vs. Brasil and Ecuador vs. Paraguay. My friend Jake and I waited in line for a couple of hours and got a voucher for the tickets for both games. They ran out of general tickets (the cheapest option) before we got to the ticket booth so we ended up in Preferencia which was the next cheapest seats. Even though they were a more expensive option, the tickets were still only $54 total for both games. Not too bad. The preferencia section is the whole eastern side of the stadium and the general section was the two ends, so we got better seats.

The first game, Ecuador-Brasil, was Sunday March 29 at 4 pm. Jake and I got to the stadium around 12pm. The seating is general so we had to go early in order to get decent seats. We also had the difficult task of trying to save seats for our friends Justin and Ari as well as for my host brother and his friends. Miraculously we were able to claim enough space for us to all sit near each other although spread out over 3 rows. We had great seats almost right in the center. The game, and even waiting for it, was so much fun. The entire stadium was yellow, it was super cool. Soccer/futbol fans don't mess around. At one point while we were waiting it started raining. No body moved, everyone just put on jackets and took out their umbrellas. It was funny all of a sudden seeing this wave of motion as everyone was putting on coats.

There was lots of yelling - both positive and negative things. Every time a member of the opposing team was announced the crowd yelled "hijo de puta" which essentially means son of a bitch. The whole crowd also sings. My favorite of the songs was "Va-mos, Ecuatoria-nos; Esta tar-de, tenemos que ganar!" This means lets go Ecuadorians, this afternoon we have to win. Doesn't work nearly as well in English. Also in the northwest section of the general seating they had a giant Ecuador flag that covered the entire section. Where we were sitting we had a mini (in comparison) flag. It was pretty exciting to be under it.

So to the actual game. Ecuador dominated. They had possession at least 75% of the time. They were playing really well, but there was a little problem with finishing. There were so many beautiful opportunities and shots on goal, but they just couldn't score. Then about a quarter way through the second half, Brasil got the ball and very quickly scored. As the game went on Ecuador kept playing really well, but still couldn't score. Then in the last few minutes they scored to tie the game. It was so exciting. The entire stadium exploded. Everyone was really glad they were able to tie it, but there was still some disappointment because they should have won.

The Ecuador-Paraguay game was Wednesday April 1 at 4:30pm. I had a test at 11am, but after that I went straight home and then straight to the game. Conveniently I live within walking distance from the stadium. I once again had to save seats, but this time I was on my own since everyone else had class latter. This time luckily I only had to save 3 seats, one for Jake, Bailey, and one of Bailey's friends. My host brother and his wife and friends had seats some where else, but Julio and Vero did come to visit me and use my sunscreen, so I wasn't too bored. There is more tension between Ecuador and Paraguay than there is with Brasil so there was even more yelling. Also Ecuador had to win the game in order to still have a realistic shot to qualify and Paraguay is the number 1 team.

This game was similar to the last game. Once again Ecuador dominated possession, although less than against Brasil. But again Ecuador could not score. There were so many close chances. It was super frustrating. Then in the second half Ecuador scored. The excitement after was even more intense than the goal against Brasil, because this goal put Ecuador in the lead. There was about 20 minutes left and all they had to do was hold on. Unfortunately Ecuador did not have it together as much in the second half as they did in the first. They were not always making the best decisions and there passing were often not sharp. In stoppage time, with less than a minute left in the game, Paraguay scored to tie it up. It was heartbreaking.

Moment right before our goal

Despite the fact Ecuador did not win either game, I had a blast. It was such a great and exciting experience. I had promised to not leave Ecuador without going to at least one futbol game and I got to go to 2 world cup qualifying games. I can now leave the country in peace.