World Cup 2014 Analysis - Group E: Will Ecuador Replicate Its 2006 Performance?

South American nations are usually favored to put up strong performances on their home continent. Brazil, Argentina and Chile are sure to live up to expectations on some level, but some question whether the same can be said about Ecuador. The nation had a solid World Cup qualifying campaign and has a rather fair group to contend with. However, is the nation capable of a deep run in this tournament?

History

Ecuador's World Cup history is nothing to write home about. The nation did not qualify until 2002 and has only appeared in two tournaments. In 2002 Ecuador was eliminated at the group stage. The team lost 2-0 against Italy in its World Cup debut and was then taken down 2-1 by Mexico. The side salvaged a 1-0 win over Croatia.

In 2006, Ecuador made a return to the tournament and put up an even better performance. The team was seeded into a group with host nation Germany, Poland and Costa Rica. The Ecuadorians opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over Poland before taking down Costa Rica 3-0. However, in the fateful game against Germany, the team was defeated 3-0 and had to settle for a second place group finish. In the round of 16 the team lost 1-0 against England.

The team failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

How did they get here?

Ecuador finished fourth in CONMEBOL qualifiers with 25 points; the side was actually tied with Uruguay in points but managed to avoid playoffs thanks to a better goal differential. Felipe Caicedo led the team in scoring with seven goals.

Star players

Caicedo has played for a plethora of European sides included FC Basel, Manchester City, Malaga, Levante, Lokomotiv Moscow and now Al-Jazira. He has scored 15 goals in 47 matches for the national side.

The other big star on the team is captain Antonio Valencia who currently plays for Manchester United.

Can they get out of the group?

South American nations are always expected to perform well on their home continent. The teams are used to the climate changes and should be able to manage the altitude as well.

Ecuador was fortunate to wind up in a group that included France, Switzerland and Honduras. France is the favorite to win the group but has imploded in past World Cups in embarrassing fashion. Switzerland is beatable and Honduras is arguably the minnow. Considering how well Ecuador did in 2006, there is no reason to believe that the team cannot find a way to finish second or first in the group.

Can they win the tournament?

That would be wishful thinking. If Ecuador finishes second in the group, then it will likely take on Argentina in the knockout rounds. While Ecuador has beaten Argentina in recent World Cup qualifiers, it is unlikely that a similar result to be replicated in Brazil. If the team finishes first in Group E then a date with Nigeria or Bosnia and Herzegovina is likely; these will be challenging sides for the Ecuadorians, but they should reign victorious. However, after the round of 16, the team is likely to fall.