South American teams start off on the wrong foot

PHILADELPHIA: South American teams have got off to disappointing start to the World Cup, failing to produce a win in three games.

Ecuador lost to Ivory Coast 1-0 on Sunday in Philadelphia. Brazil drew 1–1 with Morocco on Saturday, and Paraguay were routed 4–1 by tournament co-host the US.

Comments from coaches after the underwhelming results struck a similar tone.

Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece called it a “very painful situation.” Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro referred to his team’s loss as a “very painful lesson.”

Coach Carlo Ancelotti said five-time World Cup champions Brazil cannot lose heart: “You don’t win a World Cup based on your first match.”

Uruguay play first game Tuesday against Saudi Arabia, defending champion Argentina take on Algeria on Tuesday and Colombia are against Uzbekistan on Wednesday.

South America has a proud football tradition, and is the only continent other than Europe to produce World Cup champions.

The slow start to the tournament of some South American nations contrasts to a solid opening performance by North American teams on home soil.

“The US won this match very clearly and fairly,” Alfaro said after Paraguay’s opening loss. “They dominated tactically, technically and physically as well. They have answers to everything you throw at them.”

Adding to the victory by the US, Mexico kicked off the World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa, and Canada earned their first World Cup point after a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ecuador, making their fifth World Cup appearance and aiming to reach the knockout round for the second time, were playing a virtual home game at Philadelphia Stadium, where most of the capacity crowd of 68,274 wore the team’s yellow jerseys.

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