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Ecuador's forwards Felipe Caicedo (left) and Enner Valencia in a training session at the Vila Ventura Resort in Viamao. Photo: AFP

Outsiders, Honduras and Ecuador, hungry to stamp their authority

Coaches square off against their old teams as both sides are desperate for their first points

AFP

Ecuador and Honduras coaches Reinaldo Rueda and Luis Suarez will both face their old sides as the two group outsiders look to get their first points when they meet in Curitiba .

Rueda's Ecuador were beaten 2-1 by Switzerland in their opening group E match thanks to Haris Seferovic's stoppage time winner.

The Colombian lamented his side's lack of killer instinct in front of goal against the Swiss, but has insisted he will not make any changes for the game against the country he led at the last World Cup.

Each game is a new opportunity and we believe we are well equipped to get the result in the next match
Luis Suarez, Honduras coach

"There is no time to cry. We have another game in front of us and we need to move on," he said.

"We know that Honduras are difficult opponents who are well-organised and it will be an intense match. We played well against Switzerland, but we weren't effective."

Former Manchester City striker Felipe Caicedo will therefore continue to lead the line-up up front with Enner Valencia and Manchester United's Antonio Valencia in support.

Honduran player Rony Martinez (left) and his teammates warm up during their training session in Porto Feliz. Photo: EPA

Suarez, meanwhile, guided Ecuador to their best showing at the World Cup when they reached the last 16 in 2006.

Honduras were easily swept aside 3-0 by France last Sunday after having Wilson Palacios sent off just before half-time.

But Suarez is confident his side can get themselves back into contention in the group with their first World Cup win in their third appearance at the finals.

"We will have to prepare for a very important 90 minutes and we have to play better than against France, that is obvious.

Honduras' Oscar Garcia vies with France's Mathieu Valbuena in an earlier group E match. Garcia will replace Palacios for their match against Ecuador. Photo: Xinhua

"Each game is a new opportunity and we believe we are well equipped to get the result in the next match."

And Wigan defender Juan Carlos Garcia insisted all is not lost for Honduras despite a disappointing showing against the French.

"We haven't lost anything yet. It is still up for grabs," he said. "Although, we are aware that we don't have the luxury of losing another game.

"I understand the concern of the Honduran people, but we haven't lost everything, we still depend on ourselves.

"Ecuador are a great team that possess players of the same characteristics as ours. They have quick, fast players.

"They also like to have the ball and move off the ball. We know it will be a very quick-paced game."

Oscar Garcia of Houston Dynamo is expected to replace the suspended Palacios in midfield, while centre back Victor Bernandez is also a serious injury doubt.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Outsiders hungry to stamp their authority
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