Ecuador
Ecuador - Group E (Switzerland, France, Honduras)
Ecuador are one of the struggling footballing teams from South America. Often overshadowed by their continental neighbors, they produced few quality footballers though. Although the tragic death of team member Christian Benitez crushed the team midway through qualifying, they recovered well enough to capture the last automatic qualification position from CONMEBOL
Profile
One of the three nations from the continent not to win a Copa America title, Ecuador have always been a struggling member of the elite CONMEBOL. Its not until 1998, when the format changes in World Cup qualification from South America took place, did Ecuador make much of an impact. 2002 marked their first World Cup appearance
The current Ecuador team is very efficient in scoring from headers, but otherwise their scoring prowess is much limited
Confederation: CONMEBOL (South America)
Coach: Reinaldo Rueda (COL)
FIFA Ranking: 28 (10-Apr-2014)
Nickname: La Tri (Tri-color)
Key Players: Montero, Valencia, Ayovi
Legends: Spencer, Delgado, Cevallos
History
Ecuador first qualified for a World Cup in 2002 and their best result so far is the 2006 round of 16 defeat to England. Brazil 2014 would be their third appearance. They finished fourth in Copa America twice, in 1959 and 1993, at home
Qualification
Owing to their +4 goal difference over Uruguay, they have qualified for the fourth automatic spot in CONMEBOL qualifiers. They had an indifferent campaign, in which they were unbeaten at home but couldn't win a game away. Their best achievement was the 1-1 draw at home against Argentina
Prospects
Ecuador encountered a tough draw and will face two stronger teams Switzerland and France, both of which have a strong defense to see them off. The only chance they have would be against Honduras. Rueda managed Honduras before taking the helm at Ecuador and they will hope his experience would help them in that particular encounter
Squad
Reinaldo Rueda included Castillo in the final 23 announced on June 2
Goalkeepers:
Maximo Banguera (Barcelona SC), Alexander Dominguez (LDU Quito), Adrian Bone (El Nacional)
Defenders:
Frickson Erazo (Flamengo), Jorge Guagua (Emelec), Oscar Bagui (Emelec), Gabriel Achilier (Emelec), Walter Ayovi (Pachuca), Juan Carlos Paredes (Barcelona SC)
Midfielders:
Segundo Castillo (Al-Hilal), Carlos Gruezo (Stuttgart), Renato Ibarra (Vitesse Arnhem), Cristian Noboa (Dynamo Moscow), Luis Saritama (Barcelona SC), Antonio Valencia (Manchester United), Edison Mendez (Independiente Santa Fe), Fidel Martinez (Tijuana), Michael Arroyo (Atlante)
Forwards:
Felipe Caicedo (Al-Jazira), Jefferson Montero (Morelia), Joao Rojas (Cruz Azul), Jaime Ayovi (Tijuana), Enner Valencia (Pachuca)
May 12: Ecuadorian manager Reinaldo Rueda announced a 30-man squad
May 12: Ecuadorian manager Reinaldo Rueda announced a 30-man squad
Fixtures
Switzerland vs Ecuador on June 15 at Brasilia
Ecuador vs France on June 25 at Rio De Janeiro
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