Ecuador is preparing for its fourth World Cup appearance and will be looking to reach the knockout stages in 2006.
They booked their price ticket to Qatar after completing fourth place in COMBEBOL qualifying, completing Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, but ahead of classic heavyweights such as Chile and Colombia.
Ecuador will be worried in the tournament’s opening match against host Qatar before facing the Netherlands and Senegal in their final Group A matches.
They will have experienced faces such as Enner Valencia and Carlos Gruezo, but they will also have many interesting youngsters, with Moises Caicedo and Piero Hincapie as the most prominent names.
Which of the 26 minor players will make it to Qatar?
Alexander Dominguez is the top goalkeeper with a maximum of 70 caps, and only Hernan Gainder also has decent experience at the level.
Moisés Ramírez, Gonzalo Valle and Pedro Ortiz can compete for the 3rd position in the final team.
Name
club
Alejandro Dominguez
UDL Quito
Hernán Galinder
AUCAS
Moises Ramirez
Independent Valley
Gonzalo Valley
City of Guayaquil
Pedro Ortiz
electrical
Byron Castillo is a moot decision in the team until FIFA dismissed allegations raised in Chile and Peru that the defender is ineligible for Ecuador.
Piero Hincapie is arguably one of the most exciting young left-backs in the game and looked for Bayer Leverkusen.
Although they were not called up for September’s friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Japan, Robert Arboleda and Felix Torres remain vital despite doubts about injuries in an otherwise young and green squad.
Name
club
Pervis Estupinan
Brighton
Angel Preciado
Ghent
Piero Hincapié
Bayer Leverkusen
Xavier Arreaga
Seattle pollsters
Byron Castillo
Lion
Diego Palacios
FC Los Angeles
Fernando Leon
Atletico San Luis
Jackson Porozo
Troyes
Guillermo Pacho
Antwerp
Roberto Arbolda
October 9th
Felix Torres
Santos Lagoon
Andre Lopez
UDL Quito
Gonzalo Plata helped Valladolid to promotion to LaLiga and scored against Uruguay, Colombia and Peru in the qualifiers to highlight their immense potential.
Angel Mena, Sebas Mendez, Carlos Gruezo, Romario Ibarra and Alan Franco are among the options tried and tested, with aspiring Brighton star Moises Caicedo as the most sensible name.
Name
club
Carlos Grueso
Augsburg
Angel Mena
Lion
Sebas Mendez
FC Los Angeles
Gonzalo Plata
Valladolid
Moises Caicedo
Brighton
Romero Ibarra
Pachuca
Alain Franco
Tellères
Jose Cifuentes
FC Los Angeles
Jeremy Sarmiento
Brighton
Nilson Angulo
Anderlecht
Patricio Delgado
Jong Ajax
Antonio Valencia
Antwerp
João Rojas
Monterrey
Michel Carcelen
Barcelona
Jhojan Julio
saints
Fernando Gaibor
Independent Valley
Former West Ham and Everton striker Enner Valencia, 32, is the team’s top standout and the country’s all-time all-time top scorer at 35.
For his part, Michael Estrada, Ecuador’s most sensitive scorer in the qualifying round with six goals.
Djorkaeff Reasco of Newell’s Old Boys turns out to be the other choice as a full striker to play in Qatar.
Name
club
Enner Valencia
Fenerbahçe
Michel Estrade
Blue Cross
Djorkaeff Reasco
Newell’s Old Boys
Leonard Bell
InterMiami
Jordy Caicedo
UNAL
Precious Ayrton
Santos Lagoon
Bryan Angulo
saints
Dominguez is the apparent selection in goal; with Estupiñán, Hincapie, Torres and Preciado are expected to form the quarterfinals.
Caicedo will lead the midfield alongside Mendez and Gruezo.
In attack, Estrada and Valencia are the two expected to score goals with Mena to the pair.
Ecuador XI (4-3-3): Dominguez; Estupiñán, Hincapié, Torres, Preciado; Caicedo, Mendez, Gruezo; Valencia, Estrada, Mena