Campeonato Sudamericano Sub 17: Goalkeeper Analysis

Following on from our Goalscoring Analysis, we present you with our Goalkeeper Analysis. A number of goalkeepers have been in fine form over the course of the tournament and we want to highlight our top 10 before concluding on our top 3 from the tournament so far. First let's take a look at how our Final Phase teams have fared over their 8 games so far with regards to goals conceded.

Here we see a breakdown of goals conceded across game weeks by our seven teams. Argentina proving to be a tough nut to crack with only 5 goals conceded across the 8 games. Despite being comfortably the highest scorers, Brazil, along with hosts Ecuador, have conceded a goal a game with Chile conceding the most after heavy defeats to Ecuador and Brazil. 

Now on an individual basis we see a breakdown of each keeper's clean sheets and goals conceded. Unsurprisingly, Argentina's Díaz sits at the top of the list with 4 clean sheets in 8 games with Venezuela's Sánchez and Ecuador's Loor just behind on 3. 

A similar pattern emerges when we look at clean sheet percentage with Sánchez and Díaz keeping clean sheets in over half of their games. A solid performer too stands out in Venezuela's Lara who conceded 4 in a difficult game against Argentina before conceding one against Paraguay and keeping a clean sheet against Bolivia. 

Again, a similar story. Díaz really is the standout, conceding a goal every 158 minutes in what has been a solid Argentina defence so far. Brazil's Gabriel has been a reliable custodian too, conceding just over a goal a game with similar stats to Paraguay's Insfrán and Chile's Valdés although both sides have conceded considerably more than Gabriel's Brazil.

Top Three

These three really pick themselves based on the data and whilst it is important to acknowledge the impact of the strength of their teams generally, these are three keepers we really need to keep our eyes on tomorrow and over the coming years as they look to progress to play for their national first teams in the future. 

It goes without saying that La Albiceleste's shot stopper is our number one choice from the tournament so far. At only 16-years-old, CA Union's keeper has a really bright future ahead of him and we're certain that his performances in Ecuador will have the bigger Argentinian clubs taking an interest in him very soon. He'll have to be on top form to keep Brazil at bay later today.

Sánchez has been crucial in a strong campaign for La Tricolor. His clean sheets against Paraguay, Chile and Peru have helped pull Venezuela into 4th position in the group ahead of a tough game against hosts Ecuador. He will hoping to keep a fourth clean sheet against the likes of Paez, Arroyo and Bermúdez later today. 

Ecuador's Loor is an imposing figure in the Ecuador goal and the Independiente stopper will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow countryman Moisés Ramirez by staking a claim for the first team and the national team in the next few years. He is currently conceding, on average, a goal a game and if his side's potent attack can rely on him keeping Echeverri, Lopez and Ruberto to only one goal today, his side could well see themselves crowned as champions. 

Special Mention:

Whilst excluded from the data due to only playing 3 games, Uruguay's Almeida is certainly worth a special mention. The 17-year-old Peñarol stopper kept three consecutive clean sheets against Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil, although it is worth mentioning he was substituted early in the 3-0 loss against Brazil. Nevertheless, not conceding a goal in 118 minutes in such a competitive tournament is worthy of praise and Almeida is worth keeping an eye on as progresses through the ranks at Peñarol, hoping to one day represent Le Celeste's first team.