Ecuador had slightly the edge and should have won the game in the last minute when Felipe Caicedo wriggled his way past two defenders and found Luis Bolanos completely free. However, Bolanos lifted his effort high over the crossbar from 12 metres. Colombia have 10 points from six games, three behind leaders Paraguay. Ecuador have five. Ecuador went close in the first half when Colombia’s Jose Amaya headed against his own crossbar, while Patricio Urrutia threatened with a free kick. Colombia’s best chance fell to Juan Carlos Escobar when he volleyed wide from close range after halftime. At the other end, Christian Benitez had a free header from Walter Ayovi’s cross but his effort went over. Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa declined to watch the game in person. “I want to tell you that I’m not going to watch the game at the stadium because I believe I bring bad luck to football matches,” he said in a radio broadcast.Correa last watched Ecuador play last year when they were beaten 1-0 by Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier, their first home defeat for six years. (Reuters)
