A take a look at South American crew that appears to beat its underdog standing.
Earlier World Cup appearances: 2002, 2006, 2014
Titles: 0
Greatest end: Spherical of 16 (2006)
World Cup document: W4 D1 L5
Targets: 10
Greatest win: 3-0 Costa Rica (2006)
Participant to look at: Gonzalo Plata
Rating: 44
Fixtures: Qatar (November 20), Netherlands (November 25), Senegal (November 29)
Earlier than the flip of the century, Ecuador had struggled to make a lot of an influence on soccer’s largest stage.
In 1930, Ecuador’s sports activities minister turned down an invite to compete on the first World Cup. The crew withdrew from qualification from the 1950 match after which did not qualify from 1962 to 1998.
However the nationwide crew has turned issues round, having certified for 4 World Cup tournaments previously 20 years.
Though they've continued to battle of their World Cup appearances, they've received at the very least one match in each match and located themselves within the spherical of 16 in 2006.
A younger crew
This yr, the crew certified for Qatar World Cup 2022 in type with 5 residence wins and only one defeat, plus spectacular attracts in opposition to Brazil and Argentina.
Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro, previously of Buenos Aires tremendous membership Boca Juniors, will probably be on the lookout for Ecuador’s strongest World Cup displaying up to now regardless of accidents to Joao Rojas and Robert Arboleda.
Veteran ahead and captain Enner Valencia, whose 35 targets is Ecuador’s highest tally, will probably be main the cost ably assisted by winger Angel Mena. And in help is a brand new technology of younger gamers who've been constructing recreation expertise throughout Europe, corresponding to 20-year-old midfielder Moisés Caicedo, who made his mark on the English Premier League with 19 appearances for Brighton and Hove Albion.
Additionally maintain an eye fixed out on the again for Piero Hincapié, who has been getting loads of recreation time in at Bayer Leverkusen within the prime flight of German soccer.
However the participant to look at is 22-year-old Gonzalo Plata. So much rests on the star winger, who returned to the sector in October after struggling an ankle damage.
But when it’s fireworks you’re on the lookout for, look no additional than 35-year-old keeper Alexander Domínguez, who managed to get himself despatched off throughout January’s recreation in opposition to Brazil with a flying kick into Matheus Cunha’s neck.
Ecuador play hosts Qatar within the opening recreation of this yr’s match and are hoping to spoil the host nation’s occasion with a win on the primary day. With their present type, they’d be understandably disenchanted to lose. The Netherlands are more likely to dominate their group, however Senegal might provide Ecuador an opportunity to qualify for the spherical of 16 for less than the second time.
Ecuador has the youngest crew on the match aside from america and are hoping youthful exuberance will conquer expertise. Ecuador often is the continent’s underdogs, however they nonetheless have loads of chew.
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