Ecuador fired by touchline demand to attack: Coach

GELSENKIRCHEN, June 10: An early touchline order from Luis Fernando Suarez propelled Ecuador to their 2-0 win over Poland, the coach said today.

''We were functioning well (early) but not aggressively enough and they were reaching our goalkeeper,'' Suarez told a news conference.

''So I asked them to play more aggressively and to advance our lines. After that we had more control.'' Ecuador answered Suarez with the first shock of the World Cup in the tournament's second match, Carlos Tenorio and Agustin Delgado delivering goals in each half.

Tenorio, who missed five days of training with a slight injury, tired in the second half and came off after 65 minutes.

Suarez said he was worried the side might suffer with the loss of Tenorio's aggression but the South Americans fought on.

''The most important thing is the team responded well to everything they threw at us,'' Suarez said.

Poland coach Pawel Janas said his side's tactics disintegrated after Ecuador's opening goal.

''Our tactics were not poor but it always depends on what the players do with the tactical constructions,'' Janas said.

''Unfortunately their first goal destroyed our concept.'' Suarez said his team had to make high demands of themselves to keep up with the fast pace of the match.

''I was afraid our substitutes might not enter at the same rhythm of the game but they did well to keep up,'' he said.

Ecuador next face Group A rivals Costa Rica in Hamburg on Thursday before meeting hosts Germany five days later in Berlin.

''We haven't achieved anything yet. This is just a step towards qualification and we must not get overexcited,'' Suarez said.

''We are going to be happy until tomorrow because what is coming up is going to be hard.''

REUTERS