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Mission Accomplished?

June 26th, 2006 | By: Trent | 15 Comments »

Was this end a success for Ecuador? A couple of months ago, I wrote in this space that a trip to the second round would be an unqualified success for Ecuador. Four years ago, Ecuador appeared at its first World Cup finals. With losses to Italy and Mexico, and one win against Croatia, La Tri was in Japan/Korea just long enough to have a cup of coffee before heading home to South America.

All along, Coach Luis Suarez said–and still says–that this time around, Ecuador needed to build on what his fellow Colombian Hernan Dario Gomez accomplished in 2002.

And that they did.

So now that Ecuador has made, and crashed out of, the second round, I guess I have to stick with my original benchmark of success. Very few picked Ecuador to advance, and those that did–i.e., Pele and Marcello Balboa–are known for their incorrect predictions.

So, yes, this World Cup run was a successful one. Hopefully, in the not-too-distant future, the quaterfinals will be the reasonable goal for Ecuador.

Do YOU think this World CUp was a mission accomplished?

Tags: Ecuador, Luis Suarez, World Cup success

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Comments

By joyville | June 26th, 2006 at 4:10 am

Ecuador played good competitive football- battling every minute of play. They distinguished themselves honourably. Total respect!

Posted from United Kingdom

By George | June 26th, 2006 at 4:17 am

ABSOLUTELY! Ecuador is becoming the little engine that could. To have made it out of the group and hold England to ONE goal with all the “stars” they have, well, Well, WELL DONE LA Tri. Now on to the goal of making it out of the round of 16 in four years and getting to the round of 8. Si Se Puede, Si Se Puede, Si Se Puede, ECUADOR ECUADOR RAH!!!

Posted from United States

By Michael | June 26th, 2006 at 6:00 am

F*ck the English.. If Portugal doesn’t knock em out, Brazil will. It will be a South American final..

Posted from United States

By Jose Miguel | June 26th, 2006 at 6:04 am

The core of the team will be back for the next cup.
Mora, Perlaza, Reascos, Ambrossi, Valencia, C Tenorio, Saritama, Benitez, Borja, Castillo.
That’s 10 players whom will be back for sure.

Question marks are Mendez, Espinosa, Urrutia and Kaviedes because they are in their late 20’s.

On the other hand, we have some players coming up that are very good. We have Jose Valencia who plays in Holland. We have the guy who scored two goals one week before the cup, he plays in Switzerland…I think his last name is Corozo.

We also have 3 or 4 more guys who didn’t get on the roster who can play.
Soledispa, Baldeon, Quiroz, Calderon.

As you can see, we have more to build on, so the team is not done!!! I think we will be even better in 2010

Posted from United States

By stalyn | June 26th, 2006 at 6:14 am

Mission Accomplished.
This was the biggest game of my life (as a fan), the single most importabt game ever.

So much joy so much pain all in one day…. we have so much to be proud of.

Lets keep building, and always support our team and our little nation…

By Alexis | June 26th, 2006 at 6:18 am

Jose Miguel, I think only Mora Reascos Valencia C Tenorio and Castillo from this year squad that will have an impact in the future. Needless to say we do have some young guns waiting. To TIN thanks for the memories….. I LOVE YOU FEF ECUADOR

Posted from United States

By Gabriel | June 26th, 2006 at 6:35 am

Considering the big reaction in my area for Ecuador just getting out of the group, there wasn’t high expectations placed on this team such as Mexico.

I and for many other people in my area (NJ/NYC) can say these games were the highlight of Ecuador football for many years. I didn’t see England strong, I doubt they will reach the final.

All the talk of altitude hopefully will go away and this team has earned respect for the next dance in 2010.

As for the future, I look forward seeing another ecuador team (LDU) go far in the copa libertadores.

Posted from United States

By tirusew | June 26th, 2006 at 7:27 am

very disappointed the way they came out on the second half. Equador could have a chance to plant fear on English defence if they attacked more. it seems to me Equador satisfied to make on the second round.

Posted from United States

By Ecuador4life | June 26th, 2006 at 7:34 am

TO all Ecua fans

They say its a beautiful to dream. Today that dream died. The biggest day in Ecuadorian Soccer history ended in a loss. From a fans point of view my heart is broken.

Yes, I know its the furthest we have ever gotten. Yes, we played with heart and showed the world we deserved being here. Yes, we earned much respect. Yes, we have some wonderful memories of this cup. Finally, Yes mission accomplished! At the end of the day it still hurts.

I’d like to thank Trent and everyone else who commented on the games. I looked forward to all the entries and comments on a daily basis. Trent really appreciate all you’ve done. Thanks for putting alot of class, laughter and informative analysis. If they had a world cup competition on blogs. Hands down this would be the winner.

Si se pudo!

E4L

Posted from United States

By El Simon | June 26th, 2006 at 7:34 am

Two dominating wins were great to see… and beforehand I was just hoping for the second round so definitely this is a success.

I would like to talk 2010 but S.American qualifying is probably a harder tournament than the World Cup itself so let’s hope with ‘altitude’ Ecuador can continue to win against their brethren and be a fixture qualifying from S.America like Brazil and Argentina.

Don’t forget to mention Salas in S.Africa. He would have made the difference I think today if he was healthy!

Posted from Canada

By SiSePudo | June 26th, 2006 at 1:24 pm

My heart is still beating on the wind of this wonderful acomplished mission. And nothing can stop it. I am proud of being ecuadorian than ever before.

Now we know the reality of our football. We know how to play against the europeans teams.

More important, we know our weakness and know what to do in order to make the next great step in 2010.

So let`s work for the next dream.

On the other side, these guys are an example for us, of how to be successfull in our own lives.

Adelante Ecuador, Si Se Puede!!!

Posted from United States

By apio | June 26th, 2006 at 1:47 pm

Gracias La Tri por un lindo viaje. I think that although La Tri play well, there was some conformism from part of players and coach. This was a game that when Ecuador played, and passed well the nasty english did not have a chance. Ecuador should have won, because they could play better. They lost because they “knew” the english soccer history. Thank you for all

Posted from United States

By Jose Miguel | June 26th, 2006 at 3:21 pm

El Simon, you are right, Salas still in the mix. The problem with him is that he cannot stay healthy.

Posted from United States

By Orlando Pasto | June 26th, 2006 at 8:38 pm

one more guy roberto mina he’ll probably be the next tin.

By Mo | June 26th, 2006 at 9:45 pm

What Ecuador did to deserve a win??
ENG-ECU match was horrible and the less worse team took the win. How can you say that Ecuador did great and should have had better luck, when the only thing they did was to defend with 9 guys and drop long shots a couple times. If Ecuador, as its people proclaim, is such a good team, they should have passed easily an anemic British team that did nothing but score.

Posted from United States

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