WORLD CUP 2006
Ecuador Interview: Coach - Luis Fernandez Suarez
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Four years ago, your predecessor, Hernan Dario Gomez, stressed that Ecuador were going to the World Cup to learn. You are communicating a very different message.
We are in an interesting phase of development, but we have to progress, and now have the chance to do it. Our minimum objective is reaching the second round, so we will have played one more game than at the last World Cup.
I want the players to understand that we’re going to the World Cup to win, not to take photos. If we get that right, I have no doubt that this team can achieve important things. I think we’re on the right path, not just for the World Cup but for Ecuadorean football in general.
On what do you base your confidence?
The Ecuadorean player has matured, despite the process of rebuilding that we’ve been through. There’s an advantage in that seven or eight of our players have the experience of playing in a World Cup. Now we have to know how to manage the desires and anxieties of our young players with the collaboration of the veterans. We’re aware that there are big difficulties, but that the opportunities are bigger still. If we get our preparation right, we can face the finals without fear.
After you took over, you very quickly managed to impose your ideas on the team.
The players follow my instructions on the field because they believe in me and because they understand the benefits the tactics will bring to the team. It’s not because I impose them. If the players understand the tactical ideas, then the team functions much better. The key is to have intelligent players who can visualise what it is they’re trying to achieve and are able to bring this intelligence to the technical, tactical and physical aspects.
How do you see your group? And who do you see as the likely tournament winners?
In the group, logic dictates that Germany are clear favourites. But we have the chance to finish ahead of the rest. For the tournament, Brazil have a team that is very strong in technical and tactical terms. I think they start in front of the rest.
Who has been your biggest influence as a coach?
Francisco Maturana. He has been like a father to me, both in football and as a human being. If I’ve made any improvement as a man I owe it to Francisco, who always helped me without asking for anything in exchange.
You were his player when Atletico Nacional became the first Colombian team to win the Libertadores Cup.
Yes, but I wasn’t a star. I retired when I was 29. I want to achieve as a coach what I wasn’t able to do as a player.
Ecuador Squad
1 GK VILLAFUERTE Edwin - (Deportivo Quito, ECU)
2 DF GUAGUA Jorge - (El Nacional, ECU)
3 DF HURTADO Ivan - (Al Arabi, QAT)
4 DF DE LA CRUZ Ulises - (Aston Villa, ENG)
5 DF PERLAZA Jose - (Olmedo, ECU)
6 MF URRUTIA Patricio - (LDU Quito, ECU)
7 MF LARA Christian - (El Nacional, ECU)
8 MF MENDEZ Edison - (LDU Quito, ECU)
9 FW BORJA Felix - (El Nacional, ECU)
10 FW KAVIEDES Ivan - (Argentinos Juniors, ARG)
11 FW DELGADO Agustin - (LDU Quito, ECU)
12 GK MORA Cristian - (LDU Quito, ECU)
13 DF AMBROSSI Paul - (LDU Quito, ECU)
14 MF CASTILLO Segundo - (El Nacional, ECU)
15 MF AYOVI Marlon - (Deportivo Quito, ECU)
16 MF VALENCIA Luis - (Recreativo Huelva, ESP)
17 DF ESPINOZA Giovanny - (LDU Quito, ECU)
18 DF REASCO Neicer - (LDU Quito, ECU)
19 MF SARITAMA Luis - (Deportivo Quito, ECU)
20 MF TENORIO Edwin - (Barcelona, ECU)
21 FW TENORIO Carlos - (Al Sadd, QAT)
22 GK LANZA Damian - (Aucas, ECU)
23 FW BENITEZ Christian - (El Nacional, ECU)
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