Goalkeepers
1-Jose Cevallos (Barcelona, Ecuador) Born: 17.4.71
Cevallos has
been Ecuador's first choice goalkeeper for several years. Safe and competent
though weak on crosses, he provides a generally calming influence over his
defence. Has spent his entire career with Barcelona, helping them reach the
Libertadores Cup final in 1998.
12-Oswaldo Ibarra (El Nacional) Born: 8.9.69
Second
choice goalkeeper, he is more flamboyant and spectacular than Cevallos but is
also more prone to blunders and more temperamental.
22-Daniel Viteri (Emelec) 12.12.81.
Young goalkeeper who
has made his name with one of Ecuador's most popular clubs at the age of 20 and
has already gained experience in the South American Libertadores Cup.
Defenders
15-Marlon Ayovi (Deportivo Quito) Born: 27.9.71
Reserve defender
who can play in either full-back position. He was the left-back early in the
campaign but then lost his place to Raul Guerron.
6-Raul Guerron (Deportivo Quito) Born: 12.10.76
Established himself as the successor to veteran Luis Capurro in the
second half of the campaign, plugging what had been a big hole on the left side
of the defence. Has a powerful, if erratic, shot, and is physically strong.
4-Ulises de la Cruz (Hibernian) Born: 8.2.74
Right-back
whose penetrating runs provide one of Ecuador's most dangerous attacking
options. Especially threatening when cutting inside, he scored a spectacular
goal in the 3-2 defeat away to Brazil. Played in all 18 qualifiers.
2-Augusto Porozo (Emelec) Born: 13.4.74
Porozo began the
qualifiers as first-choice central defender but lost his place after receiving
the second of two red cards in the 2-1 win over Paraguay. Likely to be a
substitute.
17-Geovanny Espinoza (Aucas) Born: 12.4.77
Tall central
defender who has gone some way to help solving Ecuador's aerial vulnerability
after replacing Porozo for the latter stages of the qualifying campaign
3-Ivan Hurtado (Barcelona, Ecuador) Born: 16.8.74.
A
classy central defender who has been a regular in the team since the mid 1990s.
Composed with good anticipation and timing, has captained the team on several
occasions, can also play in midfield.
8-Luis Gomez (Barcelona, Ecuador) Born: 20.5.72
Tends to
be brought on late in the game on the right side of defence or midfield. Scored
his only goal in the 5-1 win away to Bolivia only minutes after coming on.
Probably a substitute at the finals.
23-Walter Ayovi (Emelec) Born: 11.8.79
Left-sided
player, can play either in midfield or as a full-back. He has made his comeback
after serving a six-month ban imposed after it was discovered he was three years
younger than he had originally claimed.
Midfielders
10-Alex Aguinaga (Necaxa) Born:
9.7.68
Aguinaga has been a world class player for a decade and is
set to crown his career by captaining his country at their first World Cup. An
elegant player with outstanding control and vision, always a step ahead of the
opposition. A knee injury kept him out of the side late in the qualifiers.
5-Alfonso Obregon (LDU Quito) Born: 12.5.72
Defensive
midfielder who was a regular in the qualifiers and is a key member of the team.
Tall, strong and tough in the tackle, though he can look somewhat clumsy in
possession.
16-Cleber Chala (El Nacional) Born: 29.6.71
Experienced
attacking midfielder, who is often to be found in a wide position. A regular
fixture in the team early in the campaign, he has more recently seen his place
come under threat from Edison Mendez.
19-Edison Mendez (Deportivo Quito) Born: 16.3.79
All-round midfielder who won his place during the qualifying
campaign, making his mark with an outstanding performance in the crucial 2-1 win
away to Peru - even though he got sent off late in the game.
20-Edwin Tenorio (Barcelona, Ecuador) Born:
16.6.76
Usually to be found alongside Obregon in front of the
defence attempting to break up the opposition's attacks. Sometimes goes over the
top and rarely gets through a game without picking up a yellow card.
14-Juan Carlos Burbano (El Nacional) Born: 15.2.69
Defensive midfielder who stepped in during the qualifiers when
Obregon was injured or suspended.
21-Wellington Sanchez (Emelec) Born: 19.6.74
Tough
midfielder who usually wins a place on the substitutes' bench. His vigorous
approach earned him a red card against Paraguay during the qualifiers.
7-Nicolas Asencio (Barcelona, Ecuador) Born: 26.4.75
Was
in the Barcelona team which reached the 1998 Libertadores Cup final. Has also
played in Mexico, Argentina and Colombia.
Forwards
11-Agustin Delgado (Southampton)
Born: 23.12.74
The hero of Ecuador's qualification with nine goals.
Nicknamed "El Tin", Delgado is a physically strong player. Looks clumsy but
appearances can be deceptive and has good control in tight spaces. Joined
Southampton last season from Mexico's Necaxa.
13-Angel Fernandez (El Nacional) Born: 2.8.71
Made
several substitute appearances during the qualifiers and often made a
difference, especially against Chile when he provided the cross for the only
goal of the game. Usually to be found on the right, he is an excellent crosser
of the ball. His international career goes back to the 1993 Copa America, where
Ecuador's fourth-placed finish was their best-ever.
18-Carlos Tenorio (Deportivo Quito) Born: 14.5.79
Made
his international debut in the last game of the qualifying campaign against
Chile and was then given a run at the Gold Cup. Physically strong, his good form
in the Ecuadorean championship could earn him a place on the bench at the least.
Scored the winner in the February friendly against Turkey.
9-Ivan Kaviedes (Barcelona, Ecuador) Born: 24.10.77
Scored a record 43 goals in one season with Emelec, quickly moving
to Europe where he failed to secure a first team place at several clubs. Scored
the goal which earned a 1-1 draw at home to Uruguay and clinched Ecuador's
historic qualification.