Ecuador’s supervisor converse to World Soccer about his facet’s hopes in Qatar
Ecuador have been in bother earlier than your arrival within the World Cup qualifiers. How did you handle to show it round?
We began working with lower than 30 days to type a staff to play in opposition to Argentina. Once I arrived in Ecuador, I seen that some gamers had misplaced curiosity in being a part of the staff – what it means to signify a rustic. Then I understood that I not solely needed to search for a staff in 30 days, however that I needed to discover a staff that identifies with one thing that’s larger. So the primary mission was to get well a way of belonging.
We needed to rebuild from scratch. The technology that attempted to qualify for the Russia World Cup had come to an finish. In these circumstances, I received right down to work. We had three battles in opposition to Brazil. We misplaced in Brazil, 2-0. Then we performed the Copa America and drew 1-1 after which one other 1-1 attract Quito adopted within the qualifiers. The reality is that that final battle in Quito was intense and excessive degree. The 2 groups have been searching for victory with their very own instruments. It’s at all times essential to have the ability to face one of these opponent – Brazil and Argentina. They’re among the many favourites on the World Cup and once you play them that you could face any opponent and match them.
The South American qualifiers are powerful and difficult, with various kinds of areas, climate, altitude and matches in very completely different circumstances. The matches are very laborious. I imagine that Brazil and Argentina are a lot better ready now than earlier than the Russia World Cup. The Europeans will face two very powerful South American opponents, who combine European preparation with South American expertise, a mixture the Europeans will not be ready for.
FIFA moved the opening recreation a day earlier. Have been you consulted and the way do you are feeling about it?
We weren’t consulted about Ecuador’s match being moved. I imagine this can be a choice FIFA took contemplating the fitting of the host nation to be a part of the opening recreation. It is a truthful and proper choice. I’ve been a part of the final 4 opening ceremonies in Germany, South Africa, Brazil and Russia. These are your distinctive moments as a result of the eyes of the world are mounted on it. The occasion and the colors within the opening recreation are distinctive. It’s a privilege for Ecuador. We have now received an opportunity to be part of this main occasion. We have to do our greatest to attain the outcomes that we would like.
What I feel is related is that each Qatar and Ecuador must be given sufficient time to organize. We will solely have the gamers at our disposal beginning November 14. Usually, groups have 17 days to organize, however we’ll solely have seven days. In actual fact, in our case, it is just six and it will give us a drawback, particularly contemplating that the Qatar staff is already in a position to practice collectively. Ecuador must be given the gamers on November 13 if all groups get the gamers for seven days. We should be on par with the opposite groups.
At World Cups with related circumstances – Korea and Japan in 2002 – Argentina coached by Marcelo Bielsa was unable to get out of the group and the identical for France who have been the world champions. That they had the identical concern. Each staff ought to have the identical probability and that’s the reason I need to ask FIFA to make use of their frequent sense so that every one groups can have the identical time of preparation for this occasion.
Is it appropriate to explain Ecuador as a counter-attacking staff? How would you describe your teaching type?
If I’ve to outline Ecuador, I’ll outline it as a staff that performs trendy soccer. I advised the gamers that I didn’t need to change the best way Ecuadorian soccer is performed, however I did inform them that if we stored doing the identical factor the outcomes have been going to be the identical.
Ecuador didn’t go to the 2018 World Cup in Russia. I imagine since Russia, soccer has modified in quite a few methods. Soccer is performed in blocks, offensive, within the center or defensive, searching for possession in addition to urgent opponents excessive up the sector, one thing many groups do properly.
As well as, shifting and rotating grew to become essential to create house, largely in assault, utilizing your complete staff together with the goalkeeper as an additional discipline participant. We put quite a lot of effort into the primary go as once we press excessive up we have to diminish the house that we concede. Urgent excessive, we are able to go away house in our defence, thus we now have to be efficient when urgent our opponents.
Ecuador interprets at this time’s soccer with compact strains and performs in blocks with pace and depth. The staff at all times tries to take care of its type. We have to handle each the defensive and offensive transitions properly and at any time when we lose the ball, we have to have the capability to regroup and restart the assault with pace. We plan the sport based mostly on modern-day techniques.
Brazil coach Tite believes Ecuador can shock on the World Cup. What’s Ecuador’s ambition in Qatar?
Ecuador will give it their all. We have now three matches and nothing else however these three video games. We’ll attempt to be among the many high two groups within the group to earn the fitting to play a fourth recreation. If that occurs, one other kind of World Cup kicks off, with a really completely different strategy to the sport. Throughout these 90 minutes with potential additional time, I’m assured of my gamers, however first, we now have to face three, complicated battles with an unsure final result. That’s the reason I feel our expectations on this very younger staff – the youngest Ecuadorian staff to qualify for a World Cup – are to have a superb event.
There’s quite a lot of expectation in Ecuador. This staff can determine with the sensation of your complete nation. We’re proud: we’re not lesser than another finalist. We all know that high quality, expertise and historical past are to be revered however not feared. Taking the expectation under consideration, we nonetheless attempt to do our greatest within the World Cup
This would be the first World Cup with 5 substitutions. A very good choice?
It’ll certainly be the World Cup of 5 substitutions but in addition of 26-man squads. There was some controversy once we met all of the coaches and managers earlier than the draw. Infantino spoke and requested if 5 substitutions have been okay. All coaches agreed that 5 substitutions have been good, considering the three home windows, so we might optimise the time.
The climate will even play its half as a result of the temperatures are going to be round 20-25 levels and this will influence the gamers’ restoration. That’s the place the 26 gamers provides you the prospect of getting additional options for substitutions if there are accidents or suspensions. I imagine having 26 gamers provides you that additional security cushion.
Can South America regain the World Cup for the primary time since 2002?
I imagine South America will arrive at this World Cup with a robust chance of profitable as a result of Brazil and Argentina are on the high degree with a better high quality than in Russia. Their groups are properly consolidated and play with clear concepts. Each groups have had a major turnover with a excessive degree of present gamers. This places them in an excellent place.
Brazil and Argentina perceive very properly what the calls for of the present recreation are. They will put together properly. Uruguay have a really robust midfield, top-of-the-line on the earth, with excellent gamers and the flexibility to herald new, younger gamers. South America, I imagine, has the likelihood to win the World Cup.
Interview by Samindra Kunti