Ecuador World Cup 2014 Profile: Chelsea Target Carlos Gruezo to Spur Fleet-footed South Americans

Manager: Reinaldo Rueda

World Ranking: 26

Best World Cup finish: Last 16 in 2006

How they qualified: Fourth spot in CONMEBOL

Fixtures: Group E - Switzerland (15 June), Honduras (20 June), France (25 June)

Squad

Goalkeepers: Maximo Banguera, Alexander Dominguez, Adrian Bone

Defenders: Frickson Erazo, Jorge Guagua, Oscar Bagui, Gabriel Achilier, Walter Ayovi, Juan Carlos Paredes

Midfielders: Segundo Castillo, Carlos Gruezo, Renato Ibarra, Cristian Noboa, Luis Saritama, Antonio Valencia, Edison Mendez, Fidel Martinez, Michael Arroyo

Forwards: Felipe Caicedo, Jefferson Montero, Joao Rojas, Jaime Ayovi, Enner Valencia

Expectations: After a promising 2-2 draw against England in a warm up friendly, manager Reinaldo Rueda can be forgiven for feeling optimistic about his side's fortunes in Brazil. With France expected to sail through to the next round as Group E winners, Ecuador, with their brand of fast and fearless counter-attacking, might fancy their chances of pipping Switzerland to the runners-up spot and a qualifying as second best. One of only three nations not to have won the Copa América, South America's premier international tournament, much will depend on top scorer Felipe Caicedo, who netted seven times during qualification, two more than Sergio Agüero.

Star man: Carlos Gruezo - The Stuggart midfielder only made his international debut in May but looked assured against England and is expected to be named in Ecuador's first-11 against Switzerland. Gruezo will attract closer attention during the tournament after Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho reportedly took an interest in the 19-year-old prospect.

Prediction: Last 16 – As England found out, Ecuador's fast counter-attacks can catch teams out. The conditions also favour the South Americans whose first game against the Swiss could decide which nation ultimately prevails in the race for the knock-out stages.