OPEC: Member CountriesThe Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was founded in Baghdad, Iraq, with the signing of an agreement in September 1960 by five countries namely Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. They were to become the Founder Members of the Organization.
So, erm, interesting challenges. Attwan gets a yellow for that challenge. Franco is OK to continue. Eek. Francogoesdown after being hit in what I originally thought was the crown jewels. On second glance it seems he had his hand in the way. A lucky man. A nicely worked deep free-kick from Ecuador is well cut out but Attwan comes flying in needlessly.
A couple of half-time changesI missed for Iraq. It was Plata's fault for starting so well. OFF: Aoraha and AbdulnabiON: Muhsen and Al Boeesa A corner for Ecuador is cleared away. Iraq have a counter and actually make up about 50 yards before the yellow swarm clouds them and the call comes out in the other side. Iraq currently playing with a back six. Ecuador have stepped it up a gear in the opening minutes. CHANCE! A diving header is cleared for a throw after good work from Plata again. Corner for Ecuador.
Ecuador have controlled the possession and dominated the space all over the pitch. Iraq have had to resort to long balls to Hussein (who has done well to pluck most of them down from the sky) apart from a few attacks that have been cut out at source by the excellent rest defence of Ecuador. In attack, Alfaro's side have been very happy to maintain possession in defensive areas and have gradually pushed higher and higher up the pitch. As well as this, they have chosen their moments to attack brilliantly and the two wingers, as well as the full backs (before the unfortunate Castillo injury) have caused havoc. The biggest chance fell to Mena, who sent the ball into the sea of yellow shirts after fabulous work from Ibarra (yes, he's been my favourite player so far).
He's up and running again, and play is resumed. Chance! The ball was swung in by Mena, who placed it on Arreaga's head. Headed wide. Possibly should be 1-0 already. Early attack down the left wing from Estrada, who is taken down on the edge of the box. Free kick incoming. First chance to test the goalkeeper. Ecuador happy to keep some early possession, and they look pretty tidy doing so. And we're off! Ecuador kick us off from right to left.
HUGE CHANCE FOR ECUADORThe ball came in from the right and was headed away. Palacios had made his way to the opposing box and hit a thunderous volley towards the top right corner. A fantastic save from Hachim. Iraq are definitely happy to cede possession to Gustavo Alfaro's side, and are sitting in a 5-3-2 mid-block. Huge cheers from the crowd as Ibarra is fed down the left wing. He looks very lively so far. Hussein is definitely being used as a target man from Shenaishil's side, that's a few times now the goalkeeper has aimed for him (and hit him). Could be useful once legs start to get tired.
Ecuador - Iraq: Live broadcast listings (TV, live streaming, radio)
Iraq are dropping deeper and deeper, concentration levels rising. We've seen some very tasty early fouls, but thankfully they've calmed down and we haven't seen any injuries as of yet. Iraq not being put under a lot of pressure from Ecuador (they are probably a bit more relaxed out of possession for obvious reasons, it's 8 days to go until the World Cup) but nevertheless look more than happy to thump long balls towards Hussein. Every. Single. Time. Ah, lovely stuff.
Iraq vs Ecuador Live Free
A challenge from Aoraha actually ends in him tripping over Castillo, and it's a free kick to the South Americans, which will be whipped in from the right. Cleared and Iraq have a counter attack, a chance for them to break... and it comes to nothing. Hang on, on further investigation, it seems that it actually hit Itiyah, who is down on the floor.
Silky switching of the play by Ecuador, swishing and swashing (is that a phrase? ) from left to right before whipping in a dangerous cross. Last-ditch defending from Iraq, again. If they get one, the floodgates could open. Referee Gustavo Correiahas a word with Iraq coach Radhi Shenaishil, who must have said something. Naughty boy.
Mortality rate, under-5 (per 1000 live births) - World Bank Data
Ecuador 0-0 Iraq - International Friendlies - Sports Mole
I really hope Castillo is OK. He's not continuing and will be replaced, but at least he's able to walk off the pitch. Hang on a minute. Why did I bother? Castillo down injured after being chopped by an opponent. Substitute being prepared. Half an hour gone. If you've just joined us, here's the story so far:Millions of long balls from Iraq just mean that Ecuador recover the ball easily, and then start their controlled build-up, switching from side to side and eventually feeding it in to one of the dangerous wingers or full-backs.
Some delightful play down the right from Castillo (who looks very dangerous) gets the crowd off their feet. Well defended by Hussein. Free kick to Iraq swung in and Younnes jumps to head it. Blocked and out for Iraq's first corner of the game. Weak header saved by Domínguez. OFF THE LINE. ECUADOR. A corner is swung in and centre-back Torres meets it. He jumps about 400 times like a sea lion to try and reach the ball as it continuously gets pushed off the line by the resilient defensive line. Quite a feisty one, so far. Ecuador look the more talented team and have more attacking threat about them, but Iraq look prepared to fight all the way tonight.
Ecuador - Iraq: live online, Castillo injured, score, goals, updates, pre-World Cup 2022 friendlyEcuador - Iraq: live updatesCorner conceded by Bayesh who look absolutely shocked that the referee has given it. The crowd are on their feet again. My only complaint is that somebody outside the ground must have been selling horns and a lot of children have managed to convince their parents to buy them. SAVE FROM HACHIM! Seriously? Plata must be reading this live feed. He picks up the ball on the right and decides to go on a mazy run down the wing, before rifling a shot at the goalkeeper. The game seems to be settling down now.
Iraq | International Rescue Committee (IRC)