England has not been as impressive as their fans might have hoped. They scored early in their opener against Paraguay (courtesy of an own goal), then nervously held on for 1-0 win.
England followed that up with another nervous performance, scoring twice late in a victory over a severely outmanned Trinidad and Tobago team. Their last game against Sweden was when they looked their best ... offensively. Unfortunately for them, they conceded twice, and were lucky to not give up more.
In addition to their defensive worries, the strike force injuries are just as troubling. Michael Owen looks almost certain to miss the rest of the World Cup, and Wayne Rooney is just returning from a broken foot.
That leaves Peter Crouch and Theo Walcott as the only strikers who are truly 100%, and Walcott has yet to grace the pitch in this World Cup after not playing a single game all year in the English Premier League.
The team they will be facing is one of the surprise teams of the tournament. Ecuador showed they don't need the high altitude of Quito to win games. They qualified after their first two games, easing past the most disappointing team of this World Cup, Poland, with a 2-0 win. They followed that up with an equally impressive effort against Costa Rica, hammering them 3-0.
They did lose to Germany in their final group game, but they rested strikers Agustin Delgado and Carlos Tenorio who had scored in both of their previous games, so I wouldn't put a lot of stock in that game.
I think this will be a closer game than most observers would think it to be. Ecuador will not be intimidated — they play Brazil and Argentina regularly, including victories over both in qualifying. Their lack of experience this late in a World Cup will not be a factor.
Ecuador also has two strikers that are at the top of their games and are in tune with one another. Both Delgado and Tenorio can beat you on the ground and in the air.
I believe, though, that this England team just has too many resources. That, and Steven Gerrard — he is putting on an absolute show in this World Cup. They will have a sufficient scare from the more than competent Ecuadorians, but in the end, they get the win. England in a nailbiter, 2-1.
June 23, 2006
Fernando:
It’s a very good comment you’ve made. England is very good, and just if Ecuador plays 110% and make no mistakes, will win.
Everything is possible from now on. But winning against England is our only thought.
Go Ecuador!!!!!
Vamos Ecuatoriano..
que el domingo..
tenemos que ganar….
June 23, 2006
Dave:
Nice article -
Does anyone know what colour shirts England will be wearing on sunday??
thanks
dave
June 23, 2006
kirsty:
ENGLAND!! COME ON !!!!
come on england show ecuador what we got
COME ON ENGLAND WOOOOOOOOO!!!!
June 23, 2006
wendy:
HURRY UP ENGLAND COME ON !!
SHOW ECUADOR WHAT WERE GOT!!
WE CAN BEAT THEM!!
WE CAN TRASH THEM!!
BECAUSE THERE NOT FROM OUR SPOT!!
ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 23, 2006
ENGLANDS NO 1 FAN:
omg!! i cnt believe what has hapend 2 owen i hope hes alright nd i think we will still do well wid out him im so sad :(
COME ON ENGLAND !!
June 23, 2006
Jeff Pohlmeyer:
I hope this one’s a good match. It will be hard to judge because it’s hard to tell how good Ecuador really are. Sure, they looked good against Poland and Costa Rica, but as you said, Poland were the biggest disappointment thus far in the tournament and Costa Rica aren’t much competition. Then, in our only chance to see how good they really are they rest their key players against Germany. So, while people underestimated Ecuador before, I think now people are putting too much stock in them. Hopefully for England, though, Ecuador aren’t as good as they looked against weaker teams.
June 24, 2006
Omar:
For those of you who are biting their finger nails while placing themselves in the worst possible scenario of Ecuador emerging as the victor, don’t sweat it. England, remember ‘66? We Still Believe.
June 24, 2006
felipe Morocho:
I thinK What Ecuador win Two a cero, because They are the best team the world, because Tin es Tin In america and Europa, He has a pendiend play with England because He isnot very good in eam european. Luck
June 25, 2006
Latt:
The result of England Vs Ecuador will be 2-1
England 2 and Ecusdor 1
I trust in mighty England team
June 25, 2006
Mayur:
England will win but only just . 1st half wil be tight both defensive with few attacking chances for england.Ecuador will try to push their luck by going into the ET or penalties.
90 mins draw or england 1-0 .
June 25, 2006
Tony Chima:
Valencia will score first goal and Ecuador to win 2-1 against England.
COME ON ECUADOR