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Vartininkai
1-Edwin Villafuerte (Deportivo Quito) Date of Birth: 12.3.79 Caps: 14 Goals: 0
Called up to the national team when Luis Fernando Suarez became the coach. Has played in nine out of eleven World Cup qualifying matches and earned a spot in Ecuador's starting lineup. One of the ten players who left the Guayaquil "Barcelona" team last November due to poor conditions. Recently was involved in a car accident.
12-Cristian Mora (LDU Quito) Date of Birth: 26.8.79 Caps: 7 Goals: 0
Backup goalkeeper, debuted in the team's matches against the Italian eleven last year. Played in two World Cup qualifying matches.
22-Damian Lanza (Deportivo Cuenca) Date of Birth: 10.4.82 Caps: 5 Goals: 0
Made his debut in the national team during the 2004 Copa America tournament. Invited to the team despite being the second goalkeeper in the "Deportivo Cuenca" club.
Defenders
5-Jose Luis Perlaza (Olmedo) Date of Birth: 6.10.81 Caps: 2 Goals: 0
Almost two meters tall defender, was invited to the national team just a few days before the deadline for submitting official applications. He is expected to be a backup defender in the team if needed to replace Ivan Hurtado or Giovanny Espinoza. Spent his entire career at the regional league Olmedo team.
4-Ulises de la Cruz (Aston Villa, England) Date of Birth: 8.2.74 Caps: 83 Goals: 5
One of the most dangerous defenders of the Ecuador national team, causing a lot of trouble for opponents with his sharp tackles. Has won three Ecuadorian championship titles with Guayaquil "Barcelona" and LDU teams during his career. Later moved to Scotland to represent Edinburgh "Hibernians" club. Currently playing in England.
17-Giovanny Espinoza (LDU Quito) Date of Birth: 12.4.77 Caps: 55 Goals: 2
Was included in the team during the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, but did not appear on the field. Plays well with his head but tends to join the team's attacks and often does not make it back to defense.
3-Ivan Hurtado (Al Arabi, Qatar) Date of Birth: 16.8.74 Caps: 128 Goals: 5
The player who has played the most matches in the Ecuador national team. Hurtado has played in five Copa America tournaments and the 2002 World Cup. Started his career at the "Emelec" team and has also represented various clubs in Mexico and Spain.
2-Jorge Guagua (El Nacional) Date of Birth: 28.9.81 Caps: 16 Goals: 1
Former youth team player who usually appears on the field when Espinoza or Hurtado are injured. Played in the 2002 World Cup. Invited to the Ecuador national team while representing the "El Nacional" club.
18-Neicer Reasco (LDU Quito) Date of Birth: 23.7.77 Caps: 29 Goals: 0
A versatile player who can play in both defender and midfielder positions. Played in 12 matches during the World Cup qualifying tournament. Started in the LDU team, later moved to Argentina's "Newell's Old Boys", but returned to his homeland after a year.
13-Paul Ambrossi (LDU Quito) Date of Birth: 14.10.80 Caps: 22 Goals: 0
A small defender who can also play in the midfield. Caught the attention of the national team scouts after a successful performance in the 2004 South American Cup. Also played in the 2004 Copa America tournament.
Midfielders
15-Marlon Ayovi (Deportivo Quito) Date of Birth: 27.8.71 Caps: 73 Goals: 5
A defensive midfielder with excellent field awareness. The designated penalty taker for the Ecuador national team. Spent his entire career at the "Deportivo Quito" club.
14-Segundo Castillo (El Nacional) Date of Birth: 15.5.82 Caps: 9 Goals: 0
Another former youth national team player who can play in both defense and midfield. He is likely to appear on the field during the World Cup only if other team's midfielders get injured.
20-Edwin Tenorio (Barcelona Guayaquil) Date of Birth: 16.6.76 Caps: 67 Goals: 0
A defensive midfielder known for his rough play and receiving the most red cards in the national team. Was a regular player in the qualifying tournament. Played in the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
8-Edison Mendez (LDU Quito) Date of Birth: 16.3.79 Caps: 62 Goals: 10
The main player of the Ecuador national team, forming a midfield duo with Luis Antonio Valencia. A strong shooter who scored 5 goals in 16 qualifying matches. Scored a winning goal against Brazil in 2004. Started his career at the "Deportivo Cuenca" team and has also played for several Mexican clubs.
19-Luis Saritama (Deportivo Quito) Date of Birth: 20.10.83 Caps: 12 Goals: 0
A creative left winger who played in two qualifying tournament matches. Also played in the 2004 Copa America tournament.
16-Luis Antonio Valencia (Recreativo Huelva, Spain) Date of Birth: 4.8.85 Caps: 15 Goals: 3
One of the most talented young Ecuadorian footballers. Cemented his place in the main team after scoring two goals against the Paraguay national team last year. Can play in the midfield as well as on both wings. Moved to Spain's "Villarreal" in 2005 but failed to establish himself and was loaned to "Recreativo" team.
6-Patrico Urrutia (LDU Quito) Date of Birth: 15.10.78 Caps: 4 Goals: 0
An aggressive attacking midfielder who scores many goals in club tournaments. Excellent in heading and very dangerous when taking free kicks.
7-Cristian Lara (El Nacional) Date of Birth: 27.4.80 Caps: 18 Goals: 3
Called up to the national team by coach Luis Fernando Suarez. A fast and technical player who scored a fantastic goal against the Argentine team last June. Spent most of his career at the "El Nacional" club.
Forwards
23-Cristian Benitez (El Nacional) Date of Birth: 1.5.86 Caps: 4 Goals: 0
Started his career and rose to prominence at the "El Nacional" club, like his father. Made his debut in the national team in a match against Venezuela in 2005. Scored 7 goals last year and helped his team become the country's champion. Had another great season and earned a spot in the Ecuador national team.
10-Ivan Kaviedes (Argentinos Juniors, Argentina) Date of Birth: 24.10.77 Caps: 42 Goals: 13
Rose to fame by scoring 42 goals in 37 matches in 1998. Represented clubs like "Perugia", "Celta", "Porto", "Crystal Palace", "Puebla", "Deportivo Quito" and "Argentinos Juniors". Due to disciplinary problems, he was not called up to the national team for some time, but coach Luis Fernando Suarez gave him a chance to prove his worth in the World Cup.
11-Agustin Delgado (LDU Quito) Date of Birth: 23.12.74 Caps: 67 Goals: 29
An experienced forward who recently recovered from knee and back injuries that ended his career at England's "Southampton" club. A great header who the Ecuador national team defenders often try to take advantage of. Started his career at the "El Nacional" club and also played for various Mexican teams. Scored five goals in the qualifying tournament.
9-Felix Borja (El Nacional) Date of Birth: 2.4.83 Caps: 5 Goals: 1
Despite not being tall, he is a great header and earned the nickname "Kangaroo". Specialist in eleven-meter penalties. Invited to the team after a brilliant performance in 2005.
21-Carlos Tenorio (Al Sadd, Qatar) Date of Birth: 14.5.79 Caps: 28 Goals: 4
A fast, strong, and technical forward who played in the 2002 World Cup. His international career was almost ruined by the transfer to Qatar's "Al Sadd" club, as they refused to release him for the qualifying tournament matches. However, the Ecuador national team coach decided to give him the opportunity despite missing most of the team's matches.
