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Ecuador Team Information
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Ecuador - Team Profile
30/03/2006
Ecuador qualified for their second World Cup in a row thanks to a remarkable home record which saw them taking 23 points - remarkable because they qualified with 28 points! It's not much of a surprise with La Paz, their capital, being nearly 3000 feet above sea level which gives them such an advantage against lower lying opponents. Still, they have done well to get to this stage once again although the excitement and optimism will be tempered by the fact they have virtually the same squad which disappointed last time in Japan and South Korea.
Most well known of the defensive quintet is Aston Villa's Ulises De La Cruz. Absent through lack of form from the Villa starting line-up he captained his country in their narrow defeat to the Netherlands in March around the same time he played his first full game of the season for David O'Leary's men. A veteran of the last two world cup campaigns the more first team action he sees in 2006 the better. Christian Mora seems set to play in goal with Iván Hurtado, Geovany Espinoza and Paúl Ambrosi making up the back line.
Villareal winger Antonio Valencia looks a certain starter in midfield which should also include the L.D.U. de Quito trio Paúl Ambrossi, Neicer Reasco and Edison Méndez while the final spot in the five man midfield could go to Edwin Tenorio or Segundo Castillo.
The star of the team and star striker is Agustín Delgado who although being an automatic choice for the national team has been suspended by his club side for his playboy lifestyle.
Comments on: Ecuador - Team Profile
20/06/2006: It is sad that so many people are able to completely ignore those smaller countries that come take part in the World Cup. Ecuador has earned the right to participate just like any other European team and yet they still are ignored and passed over both for the traditional teams. Proof is, of course, that this site has the team profile of Ecuador mentioning that La Paz is their capital, when more erudite people will know that it is in fact the capital of Bolivia. I look forward to a world where all 32 teams will compete for the prize not just those 3 or 4 with a stellar history. With any luck tunisia and ghana will make it all the way and prove these "experts" that the sport is better when we are all allowed to play.
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