Part 8 of 32: The Ecuadorian Interview
For the Ecuadorian interview, I caught up with Dennys Burgos. Burgos is a college student in the Hotel Management field, born and raised in Toronto, Canada by two hardworking and loving folks from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Dennys loves to play the beautiful game, of course. Dennys is highly enthusiastic about travelling as well and looks forward to trips to Germany, Korea, Japan, Latin America and Europe.
Over to the intervew.
Tell us a bit about Ecuador’s football history and the football culture which exists.
Very well. As many people may know, Japan/Korea 2002 was Ecuador’s first ever appearance in a World Cup finals. Many people expected they would not get very far, but they did exit on a high note, defeating Crotaia 1-0 through Edison Mendez’s thunderous volley. Historically, Ecuador was once considered the minnows of South American futbol along with Venzezuela.
With that said, it is not to say Ecuador have only recently become a respectable side. On 2 occasions, they have missed out of the big dance by very small magins. Their club sides, especially Barcelona de Guayaquil and LDU Quito have performed well in the Copa Libertadores, the South American version of the UEFA Champions league, with Barcelona de Guayaquil coming out finalist on 2 occasions. The country has showed excellent progress, and by qualifying once again, have proven to their critics they were not a fluke.
When the national team plays, they sell out stadiums, and Ecuador is known to have some of the loyalist fans in the world.
Tell us a bit about the Road to the World Cup – the qualification, and the emotions the fans went through at the time.
It was a rollercoaster ride to say the least, which fortunatley ended on a high. At the beginning of the tournament, the national side started out with Hernan Gomez at the helm, the Colombian coach, who brought Ecuador to Japan. But he was missing key strikers such as Agustin Delgado and Ivan Kaviedes for several games in the early stages of the tournament, and had to rely on inexperienced ones who could not muster the ability the two forementioned are known to have.
Following a disatrous Copa America 2004, were Ecuador lost all 3 matches, Gomez resigned, paving the way for Luis Fernando Suarez, another Colombian. With his insertion, veterans, who perhaps played past their prime for far too long, such as the legendary Alex Aguinaga, Clever Chala, Alfonso Obregon and Jose Cevallos were replaced immediatley by new and exciting talents, such as Cristian Mora, Antonio Valencia and Franklin Salas to name a few. Ecuador managed to qualify in 3rd, only behind Brasil and Argentina, beating both 1-0 and 2-0 respectivley and narrowly losing the away matches 1-0.
What style of football does the national team play?
Typical South American, with quick neat passes, a discplined defence, and creativeness.
Play a 4-4-2. with two very offensive minded attacking full backs, Ulises dela Cruz in the right and Paul Ambrossi on the left, who both make excellent runs and supply accurate air and ground crosses. 2 centerbacks, Ivan Hurtado and Geovanny Espinosa, Hurtado the captain and classy one, Espinosa the fast, strong and immovable one. Play with 2 holding midfielders, Edwin Tenorio and hopefully Patricio Urrutia, who both show excellent spirit and great ball winners, and in Urrutia’s case, a threat to score.
Also, 2 wingers, Antonio Valencia on the left and Edison Mendez on the right, both excellent long range shooters with balanced attack and defenisve abilities. Finally, with 2 fowards on top, hopefully, Ivan Kaviedes, who is capable of individual magic, just slightly behind the point foward, Agustin Delgado, an excellent finisher with either foot and his head.
How do you think your country will fare at the World Cup?
Quite well actually, as long as our top players can stay healthy and confident. The core of the team has played in the last World Cup, and this will be the last chance for certain key players, and those individuals will like nothing more then go out in a blaze of glory. No one will see it coming, but Ecuador will surprise many people with their neat play.
Who will be the most important player for your country?
This is a difficult question to answer, as Ecuador rely on team chemistry more then star power. However, I will try to answer that question the best I can. I know a lot of people may disagree with me, but I feel that Ivan Kaviedes is the key to Ecuador’s success. He is one of our most experienced players at 28 years of age, has played in all of the top leagues in the world, and although he is known to be one of the most rebellious players around, he is just as talented, and that talent cannot be ignored. Ivan perfectly complements our other striker, Agustin Delgado, as he has capable abilities with the ball, makes excellent passes, and is a world class finisher.
Christian Mora, our 23 year old goal keeper is one to worth keeping an eye out for. He is very atheletic and quick, solid in one on one situations and an excellent decison maker, he is set to be one of Ecuador’s best goal keepers of all time.
Which player in your country’s side would you most like to get rid of?
I will choose 2 players. First is Marlon Ayovi. I respect him for what he has done for the team, and because he is a family friend, but for the team’s best interest, he has to step down. Ayovi is 34, and is starting to play like it. He is a sloppy player when in possession with the ball. His replacement must be Patricio Urrutia.
The second is Christian Lara. This “diablo” has been in poor form ever since he helped defeat Argentina last year, for club and country, and this is a position (left wing) that has a lot of talent in line who are superior in ability and physically, Luis Saritama and Franklin Salas to name a few.
Who are the players to watch from the other countries?
I am looking foward to see Haedo Valdez, the Werder Bremen striker who will most likely lead Paraguay’s attack along with Jose Cardozo and, if healthy, Roque Santa Cruz.
What will be your excuse in the event of failure?
If the above players are playing, Lara or Ayovi, it will be my first. Second, I will have to observe and judge for myself. And since Ecuador is in the host team’s group, the officals may show bias towards Germany, but that remains to be seen.
Have you got the right manager?
Not easy to answer. He is critised for using players in friendlies who stand no chance of joining the squad, even utitlizing players in positions they are not known to play in. He, like Gomez, shows favortism towards certain players and ignores others who should easily replace the ones he favors. It might all be a part of his strategy, which if it does turn out to have favorable results, will be hailed as a genious.
What advice would you give him?
Have faith in Ivan Kaviedes. He may at times lack maturity, but he is a key to success, is Delgado’s best choice striking partner and is arguably our best talent.
Which team do you most want to beat?
Poland. It is Ecuador’s first match and a win would be the perfect start in the tournament.
Which opposition player could be the biggest concern for Ecuador?
Poland’s keeper, whether it is Dudek or the other fellow. Ecuador will be pushung foward and both the keepers are excellent and will be hard to get past.
Where will you watch the matches?
Local latino bars, such as Plaza Flamingo, were Ecuatorianos make there home when Ecuador play! (laughs)
How keenly will the World Cup be followed in your country?
No doubt that every television screen will be tuned in when Ecuador is on the field. The people back home have high expectations and feel that this time, Ecuador will do something special.
Who will be the player of the tournament?
Juan Roman Riquelme. I know many will say Ronaldinho, but internationally, he doesn’t quite shine as brightly as he does for Barcelona. Riquelme however is involved in Argentina 110%. If he plays bad, they lose. If he plays to his ability, his passes will be met by Hernan Crespo, who will know what to do with it.
My other canidate is Ronaldo, who many cast doubt over. Ronaldo is never more dangerous then when people doubt him, and has shut up his critics in the past and I think he enjoys doing that.
Who will win the Golden Boot?
I have a feeling it will be Ronaldo. People will bet against him, but he always shines when people least expect him to.
Which team will disappoint the most?
I got the feeling Germany will be the first ever host country to not make it out of the group stage.
I also predict Holland will not make it out of the group.
Who will be the surprise team of the tournament?
Ecuador. Not many expect them to make it past the group, but don’t count out Ecuador. When they have their complete squad, they are capable of very special things and I cannot predict how far they will go.
Finally, Who will win the World Cup?
Ecuador! A guy can dream, can’t he?
Well, I will have to go against the wave and select Argentina. They will have Messi, Tevez, Crespo and Riquelme leading the attack, which rivals that of Brasil’s. If Gabriel Heinze and Roberto Ayala make it back in time from their injuries that is, as they are key defenders for the side, who looks very vunerable without these two.
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I hope you enjoyed part 8. Follow up questions for Dennys can be emailed to me at pratyushkhaitan[@]gmail[.]com Also, feel free to contact me if you would like to be interviewed or know a friend who would like/could be interviewed. Specific questions for specific countries which might pop in your mind in due course may also be sent. Coming up next is the interview from Australia.
For the rest of the interviews, check out the World Cup interview series page.
Tags: Ecuador Football, FIFA World Cup 2006, Football Interview Series.
