Ristabola.com, Jakarta Ecuador has ensured that it will qualify for the 2023 U-20 World Cup finals. The South American-based country has the power to heat up the FIFA U-20 World Cup competition after defeating Paraguay in the final qualifying leg last February.
The existence of Ecuador will no doubt be a big challenge for the Indonesian national team as well as other participants in this prestigious soccer championship. The reason is, La Tri's young squad has a slick track record during their performance at the U-20 World Cup.
The Ecuador national team was able to win third place after defeating Italy in the duel for the third place in the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Even though they had drawn 0-0 until extra time, Richard Alexander Mina Caicedo's single goal saved La Tri.
Launching the official FIFA website, Ecuador has indeed entered the 2019 U-20 World Cup on a positive note. The young La Tri has the status as the champion of the South American U-20 Championship, ahead of Argentina and Uruguay, who finished second and third respectively.
This result seems to be an injection of confidence for Ecuador while appearing in the world's prestigious soccer tournament. La Tri broke through from the group stage and defeated the United States U-20 National Team 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
After that, Ecuador was tripped up by South Korea due to Choi Jun's only goal in the last four phase. Luckily this defeat can be paid for by La Tri. They overthrew Italy in the match for third place on June 15 2019.
It is predicted that the Ecuador national team will have big ambitions when they leave for Indonesia. The team from South America clearly wants to achieve better results than the record they made four years ago.
Video news of South Korea's struggle to make history in the U-20 World Cup by advancing to the final.
The U-20 Ecuador National Team Changes Coaches
Ecuador's national team players celebrate after scoring a goal against Venezuela during the second stage soccer match of the South American Under-20 Championship at the Metropolitano de Techo Stadium in Bogota, Colombia, on February 9, 2023. (Juan BARRETO/AFP)
In order to realize this ambition, the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) is willing to take a bold step. They decided to change supervisors only three months before the official start of the 2023 U-20 World Cup.
FIFA's official website notes that Miguel Bravo was appointed as Jimmy Bran's replacement on February 27. The 36-year-old strategist is expected to bring La Tri to a similar – or even better – success than the 2019 U-20 World Cup.
Bravo is indeed no stranger to the world of coaching. The man who was born on October 29, 1986 once coached the Independiente del Valle U-20 team, which is famous for contributing many football talents in Ecuador.
With his cold hands, Bravo moreover succeeded in guiding his team to the final of the U-20 Copa Libertadores last year, before finally falling from the Uruguayan club Penarol via a penalty shootout.
Key Player of the U-20 Ecuador National Team
Ecuador's player, Justin Cuero (left) celebrates after scoring a goal against Paraguay in the U-20 South American Cup match at the Metropolitano de Techo Stadium, Bogota, Colombia (12/2/2023). Ecuador qualified for the 2023 U-20 World Cup with fourth place status for the 2023 U-20 South American Cup in the final stage of the qualifying phase which was attended by 6 countries. Out of a total of 4 appearances in the U-20 World Cup arena, Ecuador's best achievement is being ranked third once in the last event of the 2019 type. (AFP/Juan Barreto)
Miguel Bravo is not the only figure who is expected to have a crucial impact on the Ecuador national team in the 2023 U-20 World Cup. Justin Cuero, who is now a key player in La Tri, is also targeted to help his country go far in the FIFA football tournament.
So far, Cuero's contribution to the U-20 Ecuador National Team cannot be taken lightly. The player who graduated from Independiente del Valle was recorded as capable of scoring four goals during qualifying, including a brace when his team met Paraguay.
FIFA itself notes that there are a number of qualities that Cuero has the potential to exhibit when he performs in Indonesia. The player born in 2004 is an athletic striker. He is able to create his own opportunities and is known as an intuitive finisher.
His position in the Bravo concoction squad can be said to be almost untouched. Despite the presence of a number of players playing in Europe, Cuero is predicted to still have a place in the Ecuador national team when he appears at the 2023 U-20 World Cup.
List of 2023 U-20 World Cup Participants
South Korea advanced to the 2019 U-20 World Cup final after defeating Ecuador. Even though they stopped in the semifinals, Ecuador finally succeeded in winning the third place title after conquering Italy. (AFP/Jane Skarzynski)
Besides Ecuador, there are a total of 23 participants who have confirmed they will appear at the 2023 U-20 World Cup. Here's the complete list!
- Host: Indonesia
- Europe: Israel, UK, France, Italy, Slovakia
- North America: Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, United States of America
- Oceania: Fiji, New Zealand
- Asia: Iraq, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Japan
- Africa: Gambia, Senegal, Nigeria, Tunisia
- South America: Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador