On June 25, at 00:00 hours, Ecuador and Japan meet in the final round of the Copa America group, in a match in which South Americans start winners with a 2.20 share. The match will take place on the Mineirao arena in Belo Herizonte, within the C group of the competition.
Ecuador is ranked No. 4 in Group C, with two defeats suffered in front of Chile and Uruguay. Japan gained a point in the group after the draw with Uruguay (2-2), and the Asians are fighting Ecuador to take the best place 3 in the competition. Venezuela and Qatar can be reached in the indirect standings, which gives an important stake to both teams on June 25th.
Ecuador showed modestly in the Copa America training parties, and the group failures did not surprise. With 1-6 golaver, the Quito national team will have a heavy duel with the Nippon, who are very well organized and can be dangerous on the counter. With Uruguay, the Japanese opened the score through Miyoshi (’25), but they were equalized by Suarez (’32), for the same Miyoshi (’59) to bring their team to the advantage after the break. The draw was set by Gimenez (’66). Interestingly, Japan won the only direct duel between the two countries in 2006 in a friendly match ended with a score of 1-0.
Golaverage is an important criterion in the fight for qualification in the elimination phase, so Ecuador and Japan will seek to create as many chances as possible, given that the victory may prove to be insufficient. We are on a balanced and successful match on both sides.
PREDICTION: Both teams to score / YES @ 1,56
