ECUADOR - On the up

One of the least experienced squads in Qatar will be hoping to spring some surprises

WORLD SOCCER - WORLD CUP SPECIAL 2022

At the World Cup draw back in April, Brazil coach Tite was telling anyone who wanted to listen that he thought Ecuador could be the surprise side of the tournament. But when the qualification campaign got underway, the idea of Ecuador making it to Qatar would have been a major surprise in itself. 

The previous few years could hardly have been worse. On the road to Russia 2018, Ecuador took all 12 points from their first four matches, but just eight from the remaining 14 qualifiers. The team collapsed amid the local FA’s internal problems. There was a recall for Colombia’s Hernan Dario Gomez, who took the team to its World Cup debut in 2002, but he did not survive an awful 2019 Copa América. Jordi Cruyff was the high-profile replacement, but in the midst of the pandemic he jumped ship before taking charge of a single game. With barely a month to go before the start of the qualifiers, the relatively low-profile Argentine Gustavo Alfaro was rushed in to coach the side – and he has proved a wonderful fit. 

At his best with reactive sides, Alfaro adapted well to Ecuador’s counter-attacking characteristics, and his willingness to throw in youth has taken advantage of one of the country’s contemporary strengths. Ecuador were South American Under-20 champions in 2019, and the Independiente del Valle club has led the way in excellent youth development, supplying players that Alfaro has trusted with admirable boldness – mixed with his characteristic caution. 

He maintained all along that clean sheets would take Ecuador to Qatar and, after using the 2021 Copa América as something of a laboratory, the key introduction of strapping centre-back Felix Torres following the tournament in Brazil was pivotal to a tightening up of the defence that took the team safely over the line. There are question marks behind him, in the goalkeeping position, and also at centre-forward. But in between Ecuador have a side which is quick, strong and tough to play against. One cause for concern is that although Ecuador have kept five consecutive clean sheets in the World Cup warmup friendlies, the goals have dried up. 

It is a young group – there are just three remnants of the 2014 World Cup squad (top goalscorer Enner Valencia, anchorman Carlos Gruezo and keeper Alexander Dominguez) – and it will be interesting to see how they cope with the pressures of kicking off the competition against hosts Qatar. Alfaro is relishing the prospect of the eyes of the entire planet falling on his team, and has in his sights the aim of registering the best World Cup in Ecuador’s history, which would mean a place in the quarter-finals. 

Tim Vickery 

GUSTAVO ALFARO 

Ecuador were in trouble before your arrival. How did you turn it around? 

There had been the resignation of Jordi Cruyff and the departure of Antonio Cordoba as a technical secretary in the midst of the pandemic. There was uncertainty. When I arrived, I noticed that some players had lost interest in being part of the team – what it means to represent a country. So I had not just to look for a team in 30 days but also to first recover the sense of belonging, to find a team that identifies with something that is bigger. We had to rebuild from scratch. 

FIFA moved the opening game a day earlier. How do you feel about that? 

We were not consulted about Ecuador’s match being moved a day earlier for the opening match. I believe this is a decision FIFA took considering the right of the host country to be part of the opening game. This is a fair and correct decision. I have been part of the last four opening ceremonies in Germany, South Africa, Brazil and Russia. These are unique moments because the eyes of the world are fixed on it with all the passion, joy and expectation. The party and the colours in the opening game are unique. It’s a privilege for Ecuador. We’ve got a chance to be a part of this major event.

Is it correct to describe Ecuador as a counter-attacking team?

If I have to define Ecuador, I will define it as a team that plays modern football. I told the players that I did not want to change the way they played or the way Ecuadorian football is played, but I did tell them that if we kept doing the same thing the results were going to be the same. We interpret today’s football with compact lines and play in blocks with speed as well as depth. We need to manage both the defensive and offensive transitions, and whenever we lose the ball we need to have the capacity to regroup and restart the attack with speed to create opportunities. We plan the game based on modern-day tactics. 

What is Ecuador’s ambition in Qatar?

We have three matches and nothing else but those three games. We will try to be among the top two teams in the group to earn the right to play a fourth game. If that happens, another type of World Cup kicks off, with a very different approach. I am confident in my players, but our expectations in this very young team – the youngest Ecuadorian team to qualify for a World Cup – are to have a good tournament. This team can identify with the feeling of the entire country. We are proud. Quality, experience and history are to be respected but not feared. 

Can South America win the World Cup again after Brazil last won it in 2002?

I believe South America will arrive at this World Cup with a strong possibility of winning it. Brazil and Argentina are well consolidated and play with clear ideas. Uruguay have a very strong midfield, one of the best in the world. The Europeans will face two tough South American opponents in Brazil and Argentina who mix European preparation with South American talent, a combination the Europeans are not prepared for. 

Samindra Kunti

TACTICS - Speedy transitions 

Ecuador are good at transitions, but that does not necessarily mean they sit deep to create space for the counter. Alfaro’s team is both strong and fast, and the coach remarked with pride that the pace of the team meant they were defending higher even than Brazil. This obviously keeps midfielder Moises Caicedo fresher to run forward – and the same applies to rampaging left-back Pervis Estupinan, a key attacking weapon, who has a corridor in front of him because Enner Valencia will look to cut inside into the penalty box.

If the opposition are dragged rightwards to cope with this trio, space opens up on Ecuador’s other flank for either the subtle scheming of Angel Mena, or the direct bursts of Gonzalo Plata. Both featured throughout the qualifiers, but they only started together twice. This is an important selection decision for Alfaro, with Mena more likely to start, leaving Plata to be unleashed against tiring defenders. Jeremy Sarmiento is also an option. 

A possible tactical variation is the switch to a back three. It was used three times in qualification and was not a conspicuous failure, but has not been seen since an away defeat to Venezuela last October.

COACH
Gustavo ALFARO (Arg) 
Age 60 (14.08.62) 
Appointed August 2020

Had a brief playing career with Atlético Rafaela, his hometown club, with whom he started coaching in 1992. Apart from a few months in Saudi Arabia, his entire career had been in Argentina until the call came from Ecuador. Has done his best work with smaller sides, struggling when put in charge of San Lorenzo in 2005 and Boca Juniors 14 years later – his last job before Ecuador. Nicknamed “Lettuce” because of his wavy hair as a child. Now, though, he cuts a sober figure, dressed smartly and so in control that he rarely celebrates when his team scores.

ECUADOR 4-3-3

Alexander Dominguez (LDU)

Angelo Preciado (GENK)   F. Torres (Santos Laguna)    Hincapié (B-LEV)    Pervis Estupinan (BHA)

Alan Franco (TALL)     Carlos Gruezo (AUG)     M. Caicedo (BHA) 

        Angel Mena (León)           Estrada (Cruz Azul)         Enner Valencia (FENER)

THE SQUAD ● = caps, goals, clubs and ages (as of 191.1.22) 

Alexander DOMINGUEZ 

LDU - Age 35 (05.06.87) 

Giant, gangling figure, a 2014 veteran who can be inconsistent. Was discarded last year, but fought his way back and kept clean sheets in four WC warm-up friendlies. 

Pervis ESTUPINAN 

Brighton (Eng) - Age 24 (21.01.98) 

Physically imposing left-back who is an important part of the team with his strong attacking bursts and his dangerous left foot. Only missed one qualifier. 

Nilson ANGULO 

Anderlecht (Bel) - Age19 (19.06.03) 

Tall attacking midfielder, often used wide, who could sneak into the squad. Recently moved to Belgium after making his name with LDU of Quito. 

Jhegson MENDEZ 

LAFC (USA) - Age 25 (26.04.97) 

Strong, sticky defensive midfielder who will probably be Gruezo’s reserve. Has been in MLS since 2019 after making his name with Independiente del Valle.

 

Ayrton PRECIADO 

Santos Laguna (Mex) - Age 28 (17.07.94) 

Winger with pace and physical presence who suffered a serious injury in February, but should be back in time for Qatar. Ecuador’s top scorer at last year’s Copa America. 

Hernan GALINDEZ 

Aucas - Age 35 (30.03.87) 

Naturalised Argentine, from Rosario, who says the first goal he ever conceded was scored by Lionel Messi. Strong personality, ended the qualifiers as first choice. 

Piero HINCAPIE 

Bayer Leverkusen (Ger) - Age 20 (09.01.02) 

Left-footed centre-back, adept at bringing the ball out, whose extended run started with last year’s Copa America. Another Independiente del Valle graduate. 

Moises CAICEDO 

Brighton (Eng) - Age 21 (02.11.01) 

The beating, box-tobox heart of the side. Thrown in bravely as an Independiente del Valle teenager when the qualifiers began and looked instantly at home. 

Gonzalo PLATA 

Real Valladolid (Spa) - Age 22 (01.11.00) 

Fearsomely strong left-footed winger who cuts in from the right flank. Chosen as the third best player of the 2019 Under-20 World Cup. Effective impact sub. 

Enner VALENCIA 

Fenerbahce (Tur) - Age 33 (04.11.89) 

Began as a wing-back, his conversion to a forward has been so successful he is now Ecuador’s all-time top goalscorer, getting all three of his side’s goals at the 2014 World Cup. 

Moises RAMIREZ 

Independiente del Valle - Age 22 (09.09.00) 

Under-20 keeper from the 2019 team, full of agility and talent but hampered so far in the senior side by questionable decision making. Battling with Pedro Ortiz for a squad place. 

Diego PALACIOS 

LAFC (USA) - Age 23 (12.07.99) 

Classy left-back promoted from the 2019 Under-20 side. Spent a season with Willem II in the Netherlands, and is a solid MLS performer. Very much reserve to Estupinan. 

Jose CIFUENTES 

LAFC (USA) - Age 23 (12.03.99) 

Barrel-chested central midfielder with a rocket shot who was a key member of the 2019 Under-20 team. Yet to consolidate himself in the seniors. 

Jeremy SARMIENTO 

Brighton (Eng) - Age 20 (16.06.02) 

Born in Spain and played for England at youth level but snapped up smartly by the land of his parents’ birth. Played in World Cup qualification before his Premier League debut. 

Robert ARBOLEDA 

Sao Paulo (Bra) - Age 31 (22.10.91) 

Athletic centre-back who lost his place to the Torres-Hincapie duo and then suffered an ankle injury. Alfaro says he will wait for him as long as possible. 

Jackson POROZO 

Troyes (Fra) - Age 22 (04.08.00) 

Giant centre-back whose European experience is helping establish himself as the first defensive reserve. Moved to France this season after a successful spell with Boavista. 

Alan FRANCO 

Talleres (Arg) - Age 24 (21.08.98) 

Mobile and versatile all-round midfielder. Yet another Independiente del Valle graduate currently on loan in Argentina after spells in Brazil (Atletico Mineiro) and the USA (Charlotte FC). 

Jordy CAICEDO 

Tigres UANL (Mex) - Age 25 (18.11.97) 

Burly centre-forward who recently moved to Mexico after a spell in Brazil and a successful time in Bulgaria with CSKA Sofia. A likely substitute. 

Xavier ARREAGA 

Seattle Sounders (USA) - Age 28 (28.09.94) 

Versatile defender, a centre-back who can also cover the full-back positions who, after a successful spell with Barcelona SC, is now a regular starter for the CONCACAF champions. 

Angelo PRECIADO 

Genk (Bel) - Age 24 (18.02.98) 

Quick little right-back who came through the ranks at Independiente del Valle before heading to Belgium. Started every game at the 2021 Copa America and likely first choice. 

Carlos GRUEZO 

Augsburg (Ger) - Age 27 (19.04.95) 

Defensive midfielder who was probably too raw when thrown in at the deep end in Brazil 2014, but has since matured into an efficient anchorman with crisp tackling and distribution. 

Michael ESTRADA 

Cruz Azul (Mex) - Age 26 (07.04.96) 

Rangy, tall and quick centre-forward who was Ecuador’s top scorer in qualification with six goals. Recently moved back to Mexico after a brief spell in Major League Soccer. 

Byron CASTILLO 

Leon (Mex) - Age 24 (10.11.98) 

Rapid right-back at the centre of controversy following Chile’s claims that he was born in Colombia. Made his name with Barcelona SC of Guayaquil. 

Felix TORRES 

Santos Laguna (Mex) - Age 25 (11.01.97) 

Centre-back who is quick on the ground and commanding in the air in both penalty areas. His introduction after last year’s Copa America was a pivotal moment. 

Angel MENA 

Leon (Mex) - Age 34 (21.01.88) 

Diminutive left-footed playmaker rated by Gustavo Alfaro as one of the most intelligent players he has ever coached. A late developer based in Mexico since 2016. 

Romario IBARRA 

Pachuca (Mex) - Age 28 (24.09.94) 

Another of Ecuador’s many strong wide players, who mainly plays on the left. His more slender older  brother Renato is also an international winger who featured in qualifying.

ALSO IN CONTENTION

GOALKEEPERS

Pedro ORTIZ (Emelec), Gonzalo VALLE (Guayaquil City) 

DEFENDERS 

José HURTADO (Red Bull Bragantino, Bra), Luis Fernando LEON (Atletico San Luis, Mex), William PACHO (Antwerp, Bel) 

MIDFIELDERS 

Alexander ALVARADO (LDU), Dixon ARROYO (Emelec), Michael CARCELEN (Barcelona SC), Patrickson DELGADO (Jong Ajax, Ned), Joao ROJAS (Monterrey, Mex) – injured, Junior SORNOZA (Independiente del Valle), Anthony VALENCIA (Antwerp, Bel) 

FORWARDS 

Bryan ANGULO (Santos, Bra), Leonardo CAMPANA (Inter Miami, USA), Djorkaeff REASCO (Newell’s Old Boys, Arg)

SCHEDULE

PRE-WORLD CUP 

• Sep 23  0-0 v Saudi Arabia (Murcia) 
• Sep 27  0-0 v Japan  (Dusseldorf) 

Goalless... Ecuador  didn’t score in their two warm-up games

GROUP GAMES 

• Nov 20  v Qatar  (Al Khor) 
• Nov 25  v Netherlands  (Al Rayyan) 
• Nov 29 v Senegal (Al Rayyan)

THE VIEW FROM ECUADOR

“We must be honest. At the start, 99.9 per cent of Ecuadorians didn’t think that we would qualify. 

The campaign has been extraordinary, especially bearing in mind all the instability in the FA. 

This group deserve success, and they have more capacity than our generation to achieve it.” 

    - Carlos Tenorio, two-goal scoring centre-forward at World Cup 2006 

“This team is filling me with hope, it’s inviting me to dream. 

I’m seeing a team of winners. 

In the World Cup the second round is the minimum that we should be aiming for.” 
    - Ivan Kaviedes, scorer of the goal in qualifying that took Ecuador to their World Cup debut in 2002