WORLD CUP 2006
Ecuador
Introduction
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Ecuador go to their second World Cup at what could be a pivotal moment in the development of their football. They were debutants four years ago and finished bottom of their group on goal difference from Croatia. Should they make the last 16 they will have shown progress and given credibility to the view that they are a growing, maturing force.
But a humiliating first round exit will leave the impression that they are little more than altitude specialists, capable of picking up enough points to qualify for the finals in the rarefied air of Quito, but unable to rise to the standard required when the world’s best meet on a level playing field.
The stakes, then, are as high as the Andes. In Ecuador’s favour is the experience of 2002, the
self-belief generated by their second successive qualification, the emergence of interesting new players, and the clearly-understood approach of ambitious and charismatic coach Luis Fernando Suarez.
“I believe we can make it out of our group,” says rampaging right-back Ulises De la Cruz. “We have a strong team and good tactics. But we would benefit from having more players in Europe.”
This leads to the big question about the team. How will they fare on their first competitive outing to Europe? Very few Ecuadorean players have made the move across the Atlantic. Fewer still have settled. It leaves them extremely short of experience against the style of play they will face from two of their group opponents, hosts Germany and Poland. Defending in the air presents an obvious problem. Goalkeeper Cristian Mora is very slight, so gangling centre-back Giovanny Espinoza will have a vital role to play in dealing with the aerial challenge.
The high tempo of the European teams could also come as a shock. Captain Ivan Hurtado, the other centre-back, needs to organise those around him to ensure that the defensive line is not caught flat. In the search for defensive solidity, Ecuador may run the risk of sacrificing their attacking ambitions. Where once they sought to weave midfield patterns, Suarez has them striking swiftly down the flanks. For the system to work, the full-backs must have the confidence to push forward at pace and link with the creative midfielders. Their willingness to do so will be an important gauge of the team’s confidence. If they stay deep, then Ecuador could find themselves starved of possession, forced back and merely hanging on in the hope of conjuring a goal from nothing.
The team’s result against Poland on the opening day of the tournament could go a long way towards deciding their fate, since they are not expecting to defeat Germany in the final group game and are aware that beating Costa Rica in their second match is an essential requirement of their plans to reach the knockout phase.
Poland beat Ecuador 3-0 in a friendly in Spain late last year, but the pitch was waterlogged and the South Americans were without both Hurtado and Espinoza. The World Cup meeting will surely be closer, but Poland are firm favourites. If Ecuador win and go on to secure a second round place it will be the greatest performance in the history of a relatively young footballing nation.
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