Ecuador began their World Cup preparations with a credible 1-1 draw away to Netherlands in Amsterdam on Saturday evening. Jefferson Montero gave them an early lead, only for Robin van Persie to volley home a superbly taken equaliser just before half time. The Dutch had the better of a tight second half but Ecuador were able to hold out for the draw.
It was a useful exercise for coach Reinaldo Rueda, who will now have a clearer idea of the strengths and weaknesses of his side. Here are the three main talking points from the match.
Individual mistakes belie solid organisation
Rueda highlighted the importance of the collective in his pre-match news conference and his side largely displayed the strength and discipline he had been looking for. Christian Noboa and Segundo Castillo remained closely tethered in front of the defence, Antonio Valencia and Jefferson Montero tracked back well down the flanks and Joao Rojas worked hard to cover ground and close down when appropriate.
From a shape and organisation standpoint, Ecuador were impressive. The same could not, however, be said of the concentration and decision making of their back four. Their errors consistently undid the good work of the coaching staff and the application and effort of their teammates.
In the first half alone, Juan Carlos Paredes aimed a poor clearing header straight to a Dutch player edge of the area, Jorge Guagua was twice beaten all ends up by Memphis Depay, and Óscar Bagüí -- uneasy throughout the half -- twice allowed Dutch players to skip past him to the by-line with worrying ease. The Dutch goal, while exquisitely executed, came after a lapse in concentration from Frickson Erazo.
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Erazo and Guagua are not regulars at club level and they were a step behind the pace of play throughout. Runs were not tracked and some of the defending in one-on-one situations was far too casual.
Things will get better when Ecuador are back to full strength. Alexander Domínguez is a more secure goalkeeper than Máximo Banguera while Walter Ayoví is a clear improvement on the hapless Bagüí. Erazo and Guagua will be sharper by the time the World Cup kicks off.
The defence will, however, remain the area of the team giving Rueda the most concern at this moment in time.
Pace remains Ecuador's best offensive quality
Pace is something that Ecuador have in abundance in the final third and they were able to cause the Dutch defence plenty of problems during the first half of Saturday's match.
Both Montero and Valencia got themselves into good crossing positions, while Rojas made a couple of strong bursting runs through the centre of the pitch.
Their final ball lacked quality on occasion but powerful and direct dribbling and good off-ball movement made Ecuador a potent attacking threat. Montero's goal came following his well-timed run off the left flank on to a Felipe Caicedo pass.
With the lightning-quick Liga MX top scorer Enner Valencia still to add to the mix, the defences of Group E will certainly not be looking forward to facing this Ecuador attack.
The importance of Caicedo
Caicedo may be inconsistent but he performs a very important role in this Ecuador side as the strong central reference point up front. His ability to hold the ball and draw defenders helps create space for his more nimble-footed teammates.
His worth was illustrated after he went off injured late in the first half having seemingly twisted his hip as he changed direction in his attempts to reach a long ball. His neat pass had set up Montero for the goal and he had also showed good strength in his other tussles with the Dutch defence up to that point.
Following his departure, Ecuador struggled to keep hold of the ball in the final third and gradually ceded more territory to their hosts. Shorn of a reliable collaborator -- Montero -- Rojas and Valencia were all far less effective after the break.
Rueda lacks another striker with the same characteristics as Caicedo. Neither his replacement, Armando Wila, who lasted just under 20 minutes before going off with a hamstring injury, nor the much-maligned Jaime Ayoví is a suitable option. Without Caicedo, it would be necessary to change the team's style of play.
The good news is that Caicedo's injury does not appear to be too serious. A member of El Tri's medical staff confirmed as such after the match, although the full extent of the injury is unlikely to be known until further tests are carried out, most likely after Ecuador's return to Quito on Sunday.