Bolivia vs. Ecuador: a retrospect

Each of Bolivia and Ecuador’s greatest moments were achieved on the field of the other. Bolivia forced a 1-1 draw in Ecuador in September 1993 to qualify for the World Cup for the first time (yes, yes, 1930 and 1950, but Bolivia didn’t qualify for those ones on merit – they were invited to make up the numbers of what were two hasty, cobbled-together tournaments).

Likewise, Ecuador stomped a second-string Bolivia 5-1 in La Paz in late 2001 to all but qualify for their first World Cup too. That was also Bolivia’s first loss at home in a World Cup match in sixteen years. Hmmm.

Previous to that pasting, the Bolivian coach had mentioned that “the knots of brotherhood” would always tie the two countries together but that with Ecuador poised for qualification, Bolivia would still bring it on. He got that bit wrong, but still, the similarities between the two countries are fascinating. They both emerged on the outskirts of the Peru-based Inca empire. Five hundred years later both countries are heavily influenced by indigenous Quechua culture and both feature a mountain capital city that jostles for supremacy with an up-and-coming lowland rival (La Paz vs. Santa Cruz in Bolivia; Quito vs. Guayaquil in Ecuador).

They both play their home games at altitude, so Ecuador would be the best team equipped to tackle Bolivia in La Paz – in fact, since 1997 Ecuador have won all six World Cup qualifying matches between the two.

Some of the highlights (or lowlights, in our case):

Last time out in Quito in mid-2008 Ecuador benefited from a penalty with the game poised at 1-1 to win 3-1. Botero acrobatically scored one of Bolivia’s few goals away from home. He, of course, is now no longer an option.

In September 2005, the very day that I first touched Bolivian soil although for unrelated reasons, the Ecuador selección’s greatest ever player Agustin Delgado scored both goals to win 2-1 in La Paz, although Ecuador’s defending was shaky in the final ten minutes. He, also, is no longer an option. Tears for the departed, in both cases.

Before that there was an off the wall game in 2004 (notice the Michael Jackson reference) when Ecuador took a 3-0 half-time lead in Quito, then choked in front of their own fans, conceding two Bolivian goals and watching Bolivia miss a sitter for the 3-3 draw. But a win is a win is a win… and for us, another loss.

Before that was the 5-1… you get the picture. Ecuador have had our measure.

My concern this time is that Ecuador know altitude, and after two consecutive World Cups are still a fairly classy team. I suspect they’ll get at least a draw out of this upcoming match in La Paz.

Still, I have faith in the current batch of Bolivians! They turned it on against Paraguay (in Bolivia), against Uruguay, against Argentina, and Ecuador is now something of a fading force, composed and useful on the ball but toothless. In Marcelo Martins Bolivia finally have a true world-class star. Bolivia’s inconsistency is a killer, but it’s time for the pendulum to swing again and for Bolivia to play one of their blinders.