Hurtado hurts Estonia
Monday, February 10, 2003
Article summary
Ecuador 1-0 Estonia Iván Hurtado converted a penalty in added time to defeat the European side.
Article body
Experimental side
Estonia coach Arno Pijpers fielded an experimental lineup containing only FC Flora Tallinn players, handing debuts to the 18-year-old midfielder Ott Reinumäe and striker Vjatseslav Zahovaiko, 21. Similarly, Hernán Darío Gómez named a squad comprising just domestic-based players.
Stern test
Despite the absence of a number of first-choice players, Ecuador's starting XI included ten of the country's FIFA World Cup squad, providing a stern test for Estonia ahead of the resumption of a UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying campaign in which they have drawn one and lost one of two Group 8 games.
Loud protest
The European side started confidently in the Guayaquil heat, but play was soon dominated by a series of reckless challenges, prompting Pijpers to protest loudly from the bench. The first real chance arrived in the 76th minute, when Pavel Kiseljov saved well from Otilino Tenorio.
Late decider
However, the Estonia keeper could not keep out Hurtado's late penalty after he brought down Johnny Baldeón. This match was also remarkable for 41-year-old Luis Capurro's 100th, and last, international appearance for Ecuador. The teams meet again in Quito on Wednesday.
