Ecuador striker Enner Valencia passes against three Peru defenders. (Photo : Getty Images)
Struggling contenders Ecuador (0-0-2, 2 points) has yet to win their first game in the 2016 Copa América Centenario and they could finally pull off one against lowly team Haiti (0-2-0, 0 points) in their final Group B match on Sunday, June 12 at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
Ecuador is not playing up to expectations as of late as the world no. 13 national team had drawn their first two games of the tournament to settle at the third spot of the current group table. The team still has a chance to advance in the knockout stages, though, if they can beat Haiti in this match and either Brazil or Peru loses in the other match of the day.
In their previous game, La Tricolor was held to a 2-2 draw by world no. 48 Peru, which are considered as the dark horse of Group B, on Wednesday at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, as per Goal.
La Blanquirroja surprised their opponents early in the contest as they netted the first two goals, courtesy of youngsters Christian Cueva and Edison Flores at the fifth and 13th minutes respectively both off assists from veteran forward Paolo Guerrero.
However, West Ham United striker Enner Valencia cut the lead to just one point before halftime to give head coach Gustavo Quinteros' side a chance to snatch their first win of the tourney. Their other striker, Miler Bolaños of Grêmio, equalized the count three minutes after the restart, but both team went scoreless the rest of the way to preserve the draw.
Meanwhile, Haiti suffered a humiliating 1-7 beatdown against top team Brazil at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando also on Wednesday, ESPN reported.
Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho led the Brazilians' attack with a hat trick while Beijing Guoan's Renato Augusto had a brace.
Carolina RailHawks midfielder James Marcelin netted the consolation goal for Les Grenadiers as they are now officially eliminated from the competitions after two straight setbacks.
The predicted result is a 1-0 win for Ecuador.
Ecuador starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Dominguez; Paredes, Mina, Erazo, Ayovi; Gruezo, Noboa; A. Valencia, Bolaños, Montero; E. Valencia
Haiti starting lineup (4-1-4-1 formation): Placide; Goreux, Genevois, Jerome, Jaggy; Alexandre; Alcenat, Marcelin, Lafrance, Louis; Belfort
