Ecuador began their World Cup campaign with a precious 2-0 win over Group A rivals Poland on Friday.
Carlos Tenorio broke the deadlock in the 24th minute with a stooping header and Agustin Delgado made the points safe with a simple tap-in 10 minutes from time.
Poland, who have twice finished third at the World Cup, in 1974 and in 1982, enjoyed plenty of possession but were short on ideas in the final third of the pitch, although they did hit the woodwork in the closing stages.
Ecuador next face Costa Rica while Poland take on hosts Germany.
In the group’s first match earlier on Friday, Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2.
Delgado, who had an injury-plagued spell with Southampton that ended in 2004, said Ecuador still have much to do to reach the next phase.
”This is a big step forward. But we have to look ahead. Our country will be celebrating, but we have to work and give them even more to shout about,” said the lanky forward.
”Our movement was good and we kept our shape. The two goals were our just reward.”
Poland coach Pawel Janas was disappointed by the defeat.
”It’s painful. We’re in a very uncomfortable situation. Now we have to pick up the pieces. We’re devastated,” he said.
Polish midfielder Jacek Krzynowek, who plays in the German Bundesliga for Bayer Leverkusen, was philosophical about his side’s bad start, the fifth straight opening game for the Poles where they have failed to find the net going back to 1974, the last time the finals were in Germany.
”We must look forward and put this match behind us and turn to the German game. We didn’t play well going forward, but that’s football,” he said.
Roared on by the vast majority of fans inside the Veltins Arena, Poland started brightly but Ecuador were the first to threaten, Segundo Castillo’s dipping 25-yard volley comfortably saved by Artur Boruc.
Jacek Krzynowek drilled a free-kick wildly over the bar for Poland before Ecuador took the lead.
A long throw-in from the right touchline was flicked on by Delgado and Tenerio’s angled header just eluded Boruc’s outstretched hand for his sixth goal in 30 international appearances.
The same goalscoring combination almost doubled Ecuador’s advantage five minutes later, but Delgado’s cutback from the byline was blazed over the bar by Tenorio from a few yards out.
Ulises De La Cruz, Edison Mendez and Luis Valencia all had shots saved as Ecuador finished the first 45 minutes firmly in control.
Poland had Ecuador under pressure at the start of the second half and came close to levelling the score in the 52nd minute.
Miroslav Szymkowiak’s superb through-ball found Krzynowek totally unmarked and clean through on goal, but after slamming the ball into the net, his celebrations were cut short by a raised linesman’s flag.
Ecuador captain Ivan Hurtado showed his vast experience on the hour, sliding in to block Szymkowiak’s blistering shot with timely precision and keeping his side’s hard-earned lead intact.
Ecuador killed off the contest in the 80th minute when substitute Ivan Kaviedes broke the offside trap before sliding the ball across goal and giving Delgado an easy tap-in.
Polish substitute Pawel Brozek hit the post in the final minute. — AFP
