Why it should be easy, and why it might not be By MSN’s Matt Ball
Last updated June 21 2006
Having topped Group B, England will face Ecuador, the surprise runners-up of group A, on Sunday in Stuttgart. It might sound like an easy match – and certainly a better prospect than playing hosts Germany – but Ecuador are a better team than many people think.
Here we look at key reasons England and its legions of fans should be feeling confident and, to balance it up, suggest some points that might give them the odd sleepless night.
Reasons to be cheerful
1. Ecuador’s defence was all over the place against Germany – players on the flanks were constantly unmarked.
2. They give away quite a few fouls near their own penalty area. David Beckham, come on down…
3. Is their defence tall enough and strong enough to deal with English players such as John Terry and Peter Crouch at set pieces?
4. The Germans are not a great side and yet they trounced Ecuador 3-0.
5. They have no experience of playing at this level. The 2002 World Cup was their first and they did not progress beyond the group stage.
6. Ecuador’s corner-taking is appalling. Indeed, the main function of their corners against Germany was to set up easy counter attacks for the opposition, from which they scored a goal.
7. Wayne Rooney is looking better each time he plays. He will be raring to go by the time Sunday comes around.
8. As tournaments progress England’s performances tend to improve. They have had longer to gel as a team and usually play better against better teams.
9. Steven Gerrard will be back in the starting line-up, having been rested against Sweden (for all but the final few minutes) due to his yellow card. With two goals in the last two matches he is, at last, showing his Liverpool form in an England shirt
10. England will be roared on by its fans who will significantly outnumber Ecuador’s supporters.
Reasons to be fearful
1. Ecuador looked impressive against Poland and Costa Rica, scoring five goals in two matches and conceding none.
2. With qualification assured, they did not try particularly hard against Germany and made five changes to their usual starting line-up. You cannot read anything into that performance.
3. The players who were rested for the Germany game will fresh and fit.
4. Indeed, the whole team should be fresh and fit given that Ecuador’s manager Luis Fernando Suarez decreed that player’s wives and girlfriends would not be allowed to travel to Germany.
5. They have good routines from long throw-ins that are difficult to defend against, as Poland found out to their cost.
6. England showed against Sweden that they cannot defend set plays. Unless they improve, expect more Keystone Cops defending.
7. With Michael Owen injured England are running out of fit strikers.
8. No matter they might say in public, there is a danger that England’s players will underestimate Ecuador.
9. England know little about Ecuador and have just a few days to prepare. By contrast, Ecuador’s left back Ulises De la Cruz plays for Aston Villa and so will be able to provide his team with good knowledge of England’s players.
10. The match takes place at 4pm on Sunday. Ecuador are more used to playing in the heat than England. | 
