About
Nickname(s): La Tri (Tri-Color)
Confederation: CONMEBOL (South America)
Head Coach: Reinaldo Rueda
Captain: Antonio Valencia
FIFA Ranking: 28
Best World Cup Finish: Round 16 (2006)
Notable Players: Antonio Valencia (Manchester United) Christian Noboa (Dynamo Moscow) Edison Mendez (Santa Fe)
Odds on lifting the cup: 150/1
The Country
Ecuador is bordered by Colombia and Peru and also includes the Galapagos Islands, located 1,000 km off the Ecuadorian coast. In 2008, written into the constitution was the legally enforceable Rights of Nature. Ecuador is the only country in the world to legally enforce the rights of an ecosystem. Ecuador was colonised by Europeans and with them them the colonisers brought new diseases which caused high fatalities amongst the indigenous population of Ecuador. Ecuador won its independence from Spain on May 24 1822. The largest ethnic group in Ecuador are the Mestizos. They are descendants of Spanish colonists who interbred with the indigenous people. The Mesitzos constitute 70% of the Ecuadorian population.
World Cup History
Ecuador have made two FIFA World Cup appearances to date. In Korea/Japan 2002 La Tri finished bottom of their group losing 2-0 to Italy, 2-1 to fellow South Americans Mecico but in their last game they earned a respectable 1-0 win over Croatia. In Germany 2006 fortunes changed as the Ecuadorians scored five goals in the group stages beating both Poland and Costa Rica. Ecuador finished second in the group behind semi-finalists Germany and progressed to the last 16. Ecuador lost in the last 16 to England, 1-0 in Stuttgart. Augstin Delgado is the countries leading goal scorer and leading goal scorer at the World Cup Finals with three goals
The Manager
Born in Colombia Reinaldo Rueda has no experience playing professional football. From 1994 to 2002 he took charge of three Colombian club sides; Cortulúa, Deportivo Cali and Medellín. In 2002 the 42-year-old was in charge of the Colombian under-20 squad and in 2003 his side finished third place in the FIFA World Championships. Rueda was eventually called up to manage the senior squad but failed to gain qualification for Germany 2006. Rueda has enjoyed other success as head coach of a senior international team, in 2010 he brought Honduras to South Africa in 2010. Rueda suffered criticism after Honduras exited South Africa 2010 at the group stages prompting Rueda to hand in his resignation. Rueda’s Ecuador side counter-attack at every opportunity using width and pace.
Qualification
Qualification for Brazil was anything but straight forward for Ecuador. Their qualification can be split into two records; An unbeaten home record and an away record without a single win. La Tri defeated every nation at home in CONMEBOL qualifying bar Argentina, who they drew 1-1 with. Early routine wins against Venezuela and Peru were followed by defeat to wooden spoon winners Paraguay and it was a sign of what was to come. Ecuador’s first away points came against Uruguay, which ultimately proved pivotal as Ecuador beat out La Celeste for the final automatic qualifying spot on goal difference. As qualification was nearing its conclusion tragedy struck the Ecuadorian team, experienced centre forward Christian “Chucho” Benitez died due to complications leading to cardiac arrest. Ecuador had lost a proven goal scorer but also a compatriot, friend and leader. Ecuador understandably limped to the finishing line, needing a positive result from their final game and they delivered securing a 1-0 win over Uruguay.
Key Player(s)
Their captain and leader Antonio Valencia almost always operates on the wing but has been pushed into central midfield at times and will look to drive at the opponents defence at every given opportunity . Valencia didn’t enjoy the greatest of seasons with Manchester United, but not many players did, but his passion for his country should see a reversal in form. Jefferson Montero on the opposite wing has genuine attacking ability. If Montero and Valencia are on form La Tri should have a fighting chance of making it out of a very open group.
- Switzerland
- Ecuador
- France
- Honduras
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