Berlin - Thirty-two teams have qualified for the 2006 World Cup finals which take place in Germany from June 9 - July 9.
ECUADOR
Honours:
World Cup appearances: 1 (2002)
World Cup best: 1st round
Fifa world ranking: 39
Odds: 125/1
Coach: Luis Suarez
An outspoken, highly driven coach who did a superb job of revitalising the national team after taking over following the debacle of the 2004 Copa America, when they were beaten in all three group games.
Suarez' first move as coach was to axe many of the old guard, a move that paid rich dividends. Colombian-born, Suarez was a member of the Atletico Nacional side from Medellin which won the Copa Libertadores in 1989.
Key player: Ivan Hurtado
The linchpin of the Ecuador defence, Hurtado holds the South American record for playing in World Cup qualifying matches with 57 appearances. A skilful, ball-playing centre-half, the 31-year-old is renowned as a good organiser with impeccable positioning who times his tackles to perfection.
Now playing in Qatar with Al Arabi following earlier stints in Spain and Mexico.
Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Edwin Villafuerte (Deportivo Quito), Cristian Mora (Liga de Quito), Damian Lanza (Aucas)
Defenders:
Ivan Hurtado (Unattached), Geovanny Espinoza (Liga de Quito), Paul Ambrossi (Liga de Quito), Neicer Reasco (Liga de Quito), Ulises de la Cruz (Aston Villa/ENG), Jorge Guagua (El Nacional), Jose Luis Perlaza (Olmedo)
Midfielders:
Marlon Ayovi (Deportivo Quito), Edwin Tenorio (Barcelona), Edison Mendez (Liga de Quito), Patricio Urrutia (Liga de Quito), Cristian Lara (El Nacional), Segundo Castillo (El Nacional), Antonio Valencia (Recreativo Huelva/ESP), Luis Saritama (Deportivo Quito)
Forwards:
Felix Borja (El Nacional), Christian Benitez (El Nacional), Ivan Kaviedes (Argentinos Juniors/ARG), Agustin Delgado (Liga de Quito), Carlos Tenorio (Al Sadd/QAT)
