Soccer: Ecuador hopeful of scaling new heights

HAMBURG - Ecuador aim to continue rewriting the script in Group A when they face Costa Rica in their second match tomorrow and kill off once and for all claims they can play only at high altitude.

Critics, including Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, have said Ecuador are in the finals only because their opponents tire at the lung-bursting 2.8km altitude of their capital, Quito.

Ecuador were unbeaten at home and won only once away in qualifying, and then only against Bolivia in La Paz, the highest capital in the world. Friendlies, including a 2-1 loss to Macedonia, appeared to support this view.

But after beating Poland in their opening game and causing the first shock of the tournament, Ecuador are climbing to new heights once again.

Victory for the South Americans against Costa Rica would put them into the second round for the first time unless Poland beat Germany.

Ecuador coach Luis Fernando Suarez expects the Central Americans to prove tougher opponents than Poland. "It's going to be a completely different game... It is a more dangerous game for us than against Poland," he said.

After losing 4-2 to hosts Germany in the tournament's opening game, Costa Rica must go for all three points to stand any chance of progressing.

"This is a vital game for us. We know what we do against Ecuador will make or break the World Cup for us," Costa Rica midfielder Walter Centeno said.

Ecuador will play Germany in their final group match in Berlin on June 21 with Costa Rica facing Poland at the same time.

* Ecuador V Costa Rica - Hamburg, tomorrow 1am

- REUTERS