Previewing the Copa http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/America-c38390 candidates – Analysing group B: Special Feature (Part 4)
In this last part of our preview series on Copa America’s group B, let’s take a look at Ecuador after we have already dealt with the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Venezuela-c3039...
Ecuador
Another team who can spring a surprise or two in this summer’s Copa America in Argentina, Ecuador are dark horses of Group B. Whilst many people think that Brazil’s progression to the group stages is a confirmed fact already this
might be the case in reality come the second week of July, which means that the second place spot in Group B is up for grabs and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ecuador-c2889 do have the quality in their ranks to pip Paraguay for the second place spot.
The South American underdogs do not have a rich history in Copa America like Brazil or http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Colombia-c2873 in 1993 version of the tournament
in their third place play-off encounter with the continental giants.
Before that, Ecuador finished fourth in 1959 when they hosted the tournament but lost the third place play-off match against Brazil of all teams. In their last four attempts in Copa America, Ecuador have failed to progress past
the group stages. Pundits are not giving Ecuador any chances of progressing past the group stages but if history has told us anything it is to take care of the underdogs because in sports, unpredictability often gets the best of you.
Goalkeeping
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marcelo-Elizaga-c23579 are Ecuador’s goalkeeping options in their squad for Copa America. However it is expected that Banguera will perform the goalkeeping duties on a regular basis in Argentina
and the other two shot stoppers will be ready to step in if the Ecuadorian number one gets injured. Banguera is not the best goalkeeper in the world by any stretch of imagination but the young goalie is seen as a man who is improving constantly and is gathering
experience by playing regularly at the international level for Ecuador.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Defence-c38904
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Araujo-c6435 and Achilier keep it together
at the back by keeping it tight inside their own penalty are as Ecuador’s centre backs. All of these players play together in the Ecuadorian league therefore they will be well accustomed to cover for each other’s mistakes which is always a plus point in such
competitions.
Midfield
Perhaps Ecuador’s strongest area of the field. Their main creative traffic flows through the speedy yet skilful Manchester United winger Luis http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-c40863 missed a large part of the 2010-2011
season with an ankle injury which was sustained in the early part of the UEFA Champions League campaign for his club side.
Nonetheless, upon his return to action in February, Valencia led United to a UEFA Champions League final appearance. Ecuador’s hopes rest on his strong shoulders as the right sided winger has the ability to unsettle any defence
on his day in Argentina. Edison Mendez is another man to watch out for in the centre of the park where the former Eindhoven man can pass the ball around to a good effect for his national team side.
Strikers
Christian Benítez, also known as Chucho amongst his fans is Ecuador’s main offensive force. The muscular striker mirrors Drogba with his muscular play and he will benefit from the presence of Luis Antonio Valencia on the wings.
Benitez’s strength can cause inexperienced defenders a lot of trouble.
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