Ecuador look to make an impact in their first finals appearance on their home continent.
Monday 9 June 2014 10:31, UK
Ecuador are back in the World Cup finals after their failure to make it in 2010, looking to make another big impact on the world stage.
Having qualified for their first finals in 2002, they progressed in 2006 as they made it into the last 16 and Ecuador will be hoping to take another step forward in Brazil.
Ecuador only just managed to get into the top four to seal an automatic qualifying place in Brazil, only making it ahead of Uruguay on goal difference. Ecuador's win over Uruguay in their penultimate game proved crucial.
Ecuador's Group E fixtures
1. Sunday June 15: Ecuador v Switzerland – Brasilia
2. Friday June 20: Ecuador v Honduras – Curitiba
3. Wednesday June 25: Ecuador v France – Rio de Janeiro
Coach: Reinaldo Rueda
Experienced Colombian coach Rueda took charge of Ecuador in 2010, having finished a successful spell in charge of Honduras, who he took to the World Cup finals. He also had time in charge of Colombia, who he failed to take to the 2006 World Cup finals.
Star man: Antonio Valencia
The Manchester United winger is one of the most experienced campaigners in the Ecuador squad and he will be crucial to their hopes of success. Valencia is also captain of the national side, who he made his debut for in 2005. Valencia has had another good campaign for United and comes into the finals in good form.
Tournament best: Last 16 in 2006
Squad
Goalkeepers: Maximo Banguera (Barcelona SC), Alexander Dominguez (LDU Quito), Adrian Bone (El Nacional).
Defenders: Frickson Erazo (Flamengo), Jorge Guagua, Oscar Bagui, Gabriel Achilier (all Emelec), Walter Ayovi (Pachuca), Juan Carlos Paredes (Barcelona SC).
Midfielders: Segundo Castillo (Al-Hilal), Carlos Gruezo (Stuttgart), Renato Ibarra (Vitesse Arnhem), Cristian Noboa (Dynamo Moscow), Luis Saritama (Barcelona SC), Antonio Valencia (Manchester United), Edison Mendez (Independiente Santa Fe), Fidel Martinez (Tijuana), Michael Arroyo (Atlante).
Forwards: Felipe Caicedo (Al-Jazira), Jefferson Montero (Morelia), Joao Rojas (Cruz Azul), Jaime Ayovi (Tijuana), Enner Valencia (Pachuca)
British based players: Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)
Sky Bet odds: 150/1
Ecuador are considered to have a realistic chance of matching their best ever World Cup performance at 10/11 to qualify from Group E. However, going any further looks unlikely, with a quarter-final exit 11/2 in their stage of elimination betting.
