Ecuador
Group A | World Ranking: 39 Qualification: Finished third in South American qualifying behind Brazil and Argentina
Coach: Luis Suarez
Key Players: Edison Mendez (midfielder), Agustin Delgado (striker)
Past Record: Appearing at second straight finals after making debut appearance in 2002 Group A Results:
June 9: Poland (2-0 | Report)
June 14: Costa Rica (3-0 | Report)
June 20: Germany (0-3 | Report) Knockout Stages:
June 25: Ecuador (0-1 | Report) Group Summary:
In a tournament short on genuine upsets, Ecuador have provided some much-needed unpredictability by storming into the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in their history with authoritative wins over Poland and Ecuador. A subsequent 3-0 defeat by hosts Germany may have dampened the celebrations a little, but the unfancied South Americans will be relishing their second round clash with England. Pre-Tournament Preview:
For the second time in four years, Ecuador finished ahead of more traditional South American football powers like Uruguay and Paraguay to book only their second ever appearance at the World Cup finals. Yet Ecuador's impressive qualifying performance was largely based on their unbeaten home record at altitude in Quito where they picked up 23 of their 28 points. Suarez's squad mixes veterans of the 2002 campaign with younger players, but without home advantage, Ecuador may struggle to reproduce their qualifying form in Germany. SquadGoalkeepers:
1. Edwin Villafuerte (Deportivo Quito)
12. Cristian Mora (LDU)
22. Damian Lanza (Aucas) Defenders:
2. Jorge Guagua (El Nacional)
3. Ivan Hurtado (Al Arabi, Qatar)
4. Ulises de la Cruz (Aston Villa)
5. Jose Perlaza (Olmedo)
13. Paul Ambrossi (LDU)
17. Giovanny Espinoza (LDU)
18. Neicer Reasco (LDU) Midfielders:
6. Patricio Urrutia (LDU)
7. Cristian Lara (El Nacional)
8. Edison Mendez (LDU)
14. Segundo Castillo (El Nacional)
15. Marlon Ayovi (Deportivo Quito)
16. Luis Valencia (Recreativo Huelva)
19. Luis Saritama (Deportivo Quito)
20. Edwin Tenorio (Barcelona) Forwards:
9. Felix Borja (El Nacional)
10. Ivan Kaviedes (Argentinos Juniors)
11. Agustin Delgado (LDU)
21. Carlos Tenorio (Al Sadd)
23. Cristian Benitez (El Nacional)
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