Thanks to the double by striker Brayan Angulo and a goal by the talented Ayrton Preciado, Emelec started the second stage of the National Championship on the right foot by defeating Técnico Universitario 3-0 on Saturday.
The millionaires, who finished in fourth place with 37 points in the first phase of the tournament, intend to defend their 2017 title; for that, they must win the current stage to force home and away finals with Liga de Quito.
'Cuco' Angulo shook the net first in the minute of play, just by pushing a center sent by Juan Carlos Paredes from the right side.
After that, the blues continued to control the actions and ball possession against the reserved Red Roller from Ambato, a team going through a critical situation in the accumulated table.
Robert Burbano (21m) and Angulo (37m) could have increased the score, but a ball headed by Burbano went slightly high, and then the header from the electric scorer did not have direction, although the assistant referee had already raised the flag for offside.
Emelec's second goal came in the 73rd minute thanks to the revulsive entry of Ayrton Preciado, key in the play with a firm save by goalkeeper Jorge Pinos. Nevertheless, Cuco found the rebound and only had to send it into the net. It was 2-0.
Four minutes later, Preciado secured the rout at the Capwell by scoring with a first-time shot a low cross served by Joao Rojas, who had previously stolen the ball from the left back of Técnico.
During the match, it was revealed on Twitter that the Mexican club Santos Laguna had signed player Ayrton Preciado.
John Sutcliffe, ESPN reporter, wrote on his account that the Emelec forward "arrives in Torreón".
In an interview for the Ecuadorian championship channel, Preciado confirmed the information. "Yes, the negotiation with Santos is almost 90% closed."
Lineups:
Emelec: Esteban Dreer, Juan Carlos Paredes, Jorge Guagua, Marlon Mejía, Leandro Vega, Ronaldo Johnson, Robert Burbano (Rojas, 76m), Fernando Luna (Preciado, 64m), Dixon Arroyo, Marlon De Jesús (Lastra, 64m) and Brayan Angulo. Coach: Mariano Soso.
T. Universitario: Jorge Pinos; Cristian Gaete (Zambrano, 59m), Alejandro Prieto, Michel Castro, Fernando Mora, Jefferson Caicedo, Diego Armas, Charles Vélez, Jerry León, Paúl Marret, and Diego Hurtado (Abraham, 62m). Coach: Patricio Hurtado.
Referee: Franklin Congo. Booked Marlon Mejía (60m) in Emelec; Michel Castro (31m) in Técnico.
Stadium: George Capwell, Guayaquil. (D)