The Road To The World Cup
Ecuador grabbed the fourth and final direct-qualifying spot in South America by edging out Uruguay on goal difference to reach their third World Cup. The Estadio Olimpico Atahaulpa proved to be a fortress with Ecuador going 7-1-0 in Quito, a home record unmatched by any other South American nation.
Schedule
| Date | Match | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 - 06 - 15 | Switzerland vs. Ecuador | 12:00 p.m. |
| 2014 - 06 - 20 | Honduras vs. Ecuador | 6:00 p.m. |
| 2014 - 06 - 25 | Ecuador vs. France | 4:00 p.m. |
Formation: 4-4-2
Although Ecuador employ a 4-4-2 formation, this isn’t your typical 4-4-2 that relies heavily on long balls, central midfielders creating the opportunities, and players staying where they’re most comfortable.
Rather, Ecuador’s 4-4-2 involves short, quick passes to pull opponents out of position and build-up from the flanks. In Antonio Valencia and Jefferson Montero, Ecuador have two wingers who compliment each other perfectly. Valencia’s speed on the right flank allows him the time and space to provide precision-perfect crosses for players like Felipe Caicedo, whereas Jefferson Montero has the ability to humiliate opponents in one-on-one situations on the left flank and cut into the box with ease.
Manager: Reinaldo Rueda
Colombian coaches have a history of working well with Ecuador’s national team.
Bolillo Gomez and Luis Fernando Suarez guided the country to their first-ever World Cups in 2002 and 2006, respectively, and this time around it was Reinaldo Rueda of Cali who guaranteed Ecuador’s place in Brazil.
Rueda, who took over from Ecuadorian coach Sixto Vizuete, was appointed due to his success with Honduras’ national team, who he guided to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. His hiring was met with widespread criticism throughout the country as many believed Rueda lacked the necessary experience and knowledge of Ecuadorian football.
But as Ecuador’s qualifying campaign began to gain momentum, he quickly saw an increase in popularity, and there are now rumors of Rueda staying with the national team beyond 2014.
Projected Starting XI
GK: Maximo Banguera
RB: Juan Carlos Paredes
CB: Jorge Guagua
CB: Frickson Erazo
LB: Walter Ayovi
RM: Antonio Valencia
CM: Christian Noboa
CM: Carlos Gruezo
LM: Jefferson Montero
FW: Enner Valencia
ST: Felipe Caicedo
Substitues
GK: Adrian Bone
GK: Alexander Dominguez
DF: Oscar Bagui
DF: Gabriel Achilier
MF: Renato Ibarra
MF: Edison Mendez
MF: Joao Rojas
MF: Oswaldo Minda
MF: Michael Arroyo
MF: Luis Saritama
ST: Fidel Martinez
ST: Jaime Ayovi
The Captain: Antonio Valencia
It’s hard to imagine what kind of team Ecuador would be without Manchester United’s Valencia.
A traditional right-footed right midfielder, the 28-year-old was instrumental in La Tri’s qualifying campaign and provided no shortage of problems for opposing left backs. Valencia’s ability to create opportunities from the right side of the pitch is something to behold, but it could be fair to say Ecuador rely too heavily on him as a playmaker.
With the tragic passing of Christian Benitez, who died of cardiac arrest last summer, Valencia has also move into a more centralized role. Benitez was exceptional at dropping back from the front line to help out in the midfield, and now that Ecuador no longer have his services, Valencia is forced to help out in the middle as the side have no clear replacement for Chucho.
However, he’s done an admirable job of taking on the new responsibility, and Ecuador will need to get the most out of him if they hope to advance past the group stage in Brazil.
The Star: Jefferson Montero
Why Jefferson Montero isn’t yet playing for a top European side is a mystery. The 24-year-old, who has already featured at Spanish clubs Villarreal, Levante, and Real Betis in his short career, has been at Mexican club Monarcas Morelia since 2012 despite interest from a number of top clubs such as Arsenal.
Montero’s ability to single-handedly create goal-scoring opportunities from the left side of the pitch is phenomenal. Defenders don’t stand a chance in one-on-one situations as Montero will simply kick it ahead, run onto the ball, and suddenly have the space to take an open shot or provide a cross.
If he can learn how to stay calm and make the most of his chances, he could easily be one of the world’s best in the next few years.
South American football expert Tim Vickery even rated Montero as South America’s top player after Lionel Messi and Neymar.
The Young Gun: Enner Valencia
Emelec's Enner Valencia was barely part of Ecuador’s national team a year ago. However, the death of Christian Benitez in July forced Rueda to accelerate the 24-year-old into the team’s starting 11.
With only 10 international caps, it’s tough to say whether or not Valencia will be able to fill the massive hole Chucho left in La Tri. Benitez was a ruthless goal-scorer and possessed the ability to drop back and help build up Ecuador’s attack from the middle of pitch. Simply put, Valencia doesn't have the raw talent to do those things at the same level.
That being said, he's already popped four goals for his national team, including two in Ecuador's final two tune-ups for the World Cup.
His speed, positioning in front of goal, and lethal right foot make him a constant threat to any back line. And having already demonstrated he can link up with players around him, Valencia deserves a lot of praise for how well he’s settled into Ecuador’s quick style of play.
The Swan Song: Walter Ayovi
At 34 years of age, the upcoming World Cup will almost certainly be left back Walter Ayovi’s last.
Ayovi, who currently plays for Mexican club Pachuca, provides veteran leadership for La Tri and helps ensure that the team’s back line stays organized at all times.
But he also plays a large part in Ecuador’s offense. In addition to teaming up with Jefferson Montero on the left flank, Ayovi is Ecuador’s go-to guy for free kicks, where his left foot tends to hit the target more often than not. Furthermore, if he’s given an inch of space from 30 yards out, Ayovi isn’t afraid to take his chances.
If you’re looking for a defender who holds a decent shot of ending up on the scoresheet in Brazil, Ayovi is your man.
Three Questions
- Will Enner Valencia be able to fill the gap left by Christian Benitez’s death in Ecuador’s starting lineup?
- With little experience at major tournaments, how well will Jefferson Montero cope with European defenses that won’t give him the space he got in qualifiers?
- Alexander Dominguez is clearly Ecuador's strongest keeper, but his hand injury forced Reinaldo Rueda to field Maximo Banguera in recent friendlies. Who will start for La Tri on June 15?
Trivial Matters
Nicknames: La Tri.
Most caps: Ivan Hurtado (167).
Top scorer: Agustin Delgado (31).
First international: August 8, 1938. Bolivia 1 - Ecuador 1.
World Cup appearances: Two, beginning in 2002.
Best World Cup result: Round of 16 in 2006.
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