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Delgado seals Ecuador win

09 Jun 2006 - 22:21:44

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Ecuador got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start with a deserved 2-0 victory over Poland in Gelsenkirchen.

Agustin Delgado was fit to lead the Ecuador attack, while Poland coach Pawel Janas opted to play just Maciej Zurawski up front and pack the midfield.

The opening minutes saw little by the way of goalmouth action, with Segundo Castillo forcing the first save of the game from Poland keeper Artur Boruc 11 minutes in.

There followed another lengthy period of midfield stalemate, before the South Americans made the breakthrough after 24 minutes.

Ulises De la Cruz made a good break from right-back and won a throw-in, which he took himself.

The Aston Villa wing-back's throw into the area was flicked on by Delgado and Carlos Tenorio raced in to head home past Boruc into the far corner of the net.

Five minutes later it was almost 2-0 as another long throw caused chaos in the Polish defence, Carlos Tenorio wriggled clear on the byline and cut the ball back, but Delgado lifted his shot high over the crossbar.

The closing minutes of the first half saw few further chances, while the second period also started slowly.

Giovanny Espinoza made a superb block nine minutes in as Radoslaw Sobolewski threatened and his defensive partner, Ivan Hurtado, did likewise soon after to blot out the threat of Miroslav Szymkowiak.

Just past the hour Ecuador were forced to replace outstanding skipper Hurtado with Jorge Guagua due to injury and Poland sensed they might get back in the game.

However, ten minutes from time it was all over as sub Ivan Kaviedes sprang the offside trap and fed Delgado for the easiest of tap-ins and his 30th goal for Ecuador.

That blow finally roused Poland from their slumber, with Ireneusz Jelen hitting the crossbar and Pawel Brozek curling a superb shot against the post in a last-ditch attempt to salvage the game.

However, it was not to be as Ecuador held out for a well-deserved victory.