Guangzhou, 1 Nov (Xinhua) -- In the history of the soccer World Cup, the host country's undefeated first battle is a well-known "iron law." On the 20th of this month, in the opening match of the 22nd World Cup, facing the host Qatar, in the dusty historical hole, can the Ecuadorian team shout this phrase "Sesame opens the door"?
Ecuadorian players compete against Argentina in the South American qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup on October 8, 2020. Xinhua/Reuters
Led by Argentina coach Gustavo Alfaro, Ecuador qualified in fourth place in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in the South American zone, behind Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Many attributed Ecuador's qualification to their highland home advantage – at an altitude of more than 2,800 metres, they scored 18 of the 26 points for World Cup qualifiers. In Qatar, which is near zero altitude, their geographical advantage will no longer exist, and Ecuador will be placed fourth overall in the group with the "uncrowned king" Netherlands, African champions Senegal and host Qatar.
But in fact, there are no weak teams in the World Cup, and the Ecuadorian team is still not to be underestimated. In terms of World Cup experience, they reached the World Cup finals for the first time in 2002, reached the round of 16 in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, faced England in the quarterfinals, fell under David Beckham's full moon machete, and occupied a place in the background of the World Cup scene. In 2014, Ecuador, who again qualified for the World Cup finals, stopped in the group stage. After missing the World Cup in Russia in 2018, they came back again in 2022. Hosts Qatar have never reached a World Cup finals before, and while they have performed well in Asia in recent years, they clearly lack the experience to be at the centre of the international football stage compared to Ecuador.
In terms of the schedule, for Ecuadorians to make a difference in this World Cup, they must score points on Qatar, and preferably three. Because after that, whether against the Netherlands or Senegal, Ecuador will have a harder time getting points. Therefore, Ecuador's first game is a decisive match, and in the eyes of fans around the world, they are looking to rewrite World Cup history.
Youth is Ecuador's greatest capital. Brighton's "post-00s" midfielder Caicedo is now popular in the Premier League, and the club has priced it at £85 million (about 714 million yuan) in the face of the pursuit of European giants. The talented midfielder, who has both attack and defense, is considered to be one of the most likely young players to "make a hit" in the World Cup. FIFA also praised him, praising Caicedo on his official website for "getting the attention of the entire world football". Estubinian, a 24-year-old left-back who also plays for Brighton, is also a teenager, and his super-fast wide assault speed will also be a big part of Ecuador's team.
Brighton's Moisés Caicedo (left) celebrates after scoring in a Premier League match against Manchester United on May 7, 2022. Xinhua/Reuters
Ecuador's "sharp knife" is captain Enna Valencia, who is about to celebrate his 33rd birthday, who has played more than 70 games for the national team and scored 35 goals. Ecuador, with an average age in their early 25s, may be one of the most rational teams in this World Cup, and their physical strength and tough style of play will create the conditions for their upset.
Ecuador's Valencia (right) shoots during the Copa America on June 12, 2016. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Qin Lang
Ecuador also encountered a small twist when it was about to embark on its fourth World Cup final trip - the Chilean Football Federation and the Peruvian Football Federation appealed FIFA, saying that midfielder Byron Castillo, who represented Ecuador in the World Qualifiers, had problems with his qualifications, and the matter was once a riot. But FIFA's ruling in September this year declared Castillo's status valid, and Ecuador's World Cup qualification was settled.
As the so-called false alarm is a great blessing in life, I wonder if this episode will have an extra incentive for Ecuador to surprise people in the World Cup. Young teams never lack dreams, as Caicedo said in an interview with FIFA: "We want the whole world to talk about Ecuador. ”