Ecuador World Cup 2022 squad: Who’s in and who’s out?
Ecuador will be involved in the tournament opener against hosts Qatar, before facing Netherlands and Senegal in their remaining Group A games.
KATHMANDU: Ecuador have some exciting youngsters coming through coupled with a few experienced names for Qatar 2022 Ecuador prepare for their fourth World Cup appearance and will be looking to improve on their round of 16 finish back in 2006.
They booked their ticket for Qatar after coming fourth in the COMBEBOL qualifiers, finishing behind Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, but ahead of traditional heavyweights such as Chile and Colombia. Ecuador will be involved in the tournament opener against hosts Qatar, before facing Netherlands and Senegal in their remaining Group A games.
They will be able to rely on experienced heads such as Enner Valencia and Carlos Gruezo, but have plenty of exciting youngsters coming through as well, with Moises Caicedo and Piero Hincapie probably the standout names.
Goalkeepers
Alexander Dominguez is the most experienced goalkeeper with close to 70 caps, with only Hernan Galinder having decent experience at the highest level as well.
Moises Ramirez sealed the third spot in the final squad.
Defenders
Piero Hincapie is arguably one of the most exciting young left-backs around in the game and has looked sublime for Bayer Leverkusen.
Although not called for the September friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Japan, the likes of Robert Arboleda and Felix Torres remain important despite injury doubts in an otherwise young and inexperienced line-up.
Midfielders
Gonzalo Plata helped Valladolid’s promotion to La Liga and scored goals against Uruguay, Colombia and Peru in the qualifiers to highlight his immense potential.
Angel Mena, Carlos Gruezo, Romario Ibarra and Alan Franco are among the tried and tested options, while Moises Caicedo of Brighton is another high-profile name.
Attackers
Former West Ham and Everton striker Enner Valencia, 32, is the team’s most prominent one and the country’s all-time leading scorer with 35.
Meanwhile, Michael Estrada was Ecuador’s leading goalscorer during the qualifying run with six goals.
Djorkaeff Reasco of Newell’s Old Boys seems like the other option as an out-and-out forward to feature in Qatar.
