The Borneo Post

Valencia back in World Cup spotlight with Ecuador

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Journeyman Ecuador striker Enner Valencia has drifted in and out – mainly out – of planet football’s consciousn­ess.

The striker skirts the periphery of relevance until arriving at the World Cup, where suddenly he is in his element.

Ecuador’s 33-year-old captain burst into the limelight in Brazil 2014, scoring three in the group phase against Switzerlan­d and Honduras, although his team were eliminated.

Eight years later, in the Qatar curtain-raiser on November 20, Valencia spoiled the party for the hosts with a brace to secure a 2-0 win and saw another ruled out. Valencia’s spot-kick opener made him the oldest player to score the tournament’s opening goal.

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