Antonio Valencia Included in Ecuador’s 30-Man World Cup Squad
Antonio Valencia, a pivotal figure in Ecuador’s national football team and a key player for Manchester United, has rightfully earned his place in Ecuador’s 30-man provisional squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The announcement comes as no surprise given Valencia’s importance to the national team, where his experience and skill on the wing have been instrumental in their success.
Ecuador’s coach, Reinaldo Rueda, has called up a mix of established stars and emerging talents as the country prepares for its challenge in Group E. The group will see Ecuador face off against Switzerland, France, and Honduras in what promises to be a tough and competitive stage of the tournament. With only a month left until the World Cup kicks off, Rueda will have the task of selecting his final 23-man squad from the current 30 players.
Here is the full list of 30 pre-selected players for Ecuador’s World Cup campaign:
Goalkeepers:
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Maximo Banguera (Barcelona SC)
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Alexander Dominguez (LDU Quito)
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Adrian Bone (El Nacional)
Defenders:
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Frickson Erazo (Flamengo)
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Jorge Guagua (Emelec)
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Jhon Narvaez (Emelec)
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Oscar Bagui (Emelec)
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Gabriel Achilier (Emelec)
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Walter Ayovi (Pachuca)
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Juan Carlos Paredes (Barcelona SC)
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Cristian Ramirez (Fortuna Duesseldorf)
Midfielders:
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Segundo Castillo (Al-Hilal)
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Carlos Gruezo (VfB Stuttgart)
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Renato Ibarra (Vitesse Arnhem)
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Cristian Noboa (Dinamo Moscow)
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Pedro Quinonez (Emelec)
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Luis Saritama (Barcelona SC)
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Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)
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Edison Mendez (Independiente Santa Fe)
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Fidel Martinez (Tijuana)
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Oswaldo Minda (Chivas USA)
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Michael Arroyo (Atlante)
Forwards:
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Felipe Caicedo (Al-Jazira)
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Jefferson Montero (Morelia)
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Joao Rojas (Cruz Azul)
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Armando Wila (Universidad Catolica, Ecuador)
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Jaime Ayovi (Tijuana)
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Enner Valencia (Pachuca)
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Cristian Penilla (Barcelona SC)
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Angel Mena (Emelec)
As one of the most experienced players in the squad, Valencia’s leadership and performance in Manchester United’s midfield make him a crucial asset for Ecuador’s World Cup aspirations. With the tournament just around the corner, the focus will be on Ecuador’s ability to navigate a challenging group and secure a spot in the knockout stages.
