Pressure on says Suarez
23 May 2006 - 14:39:40
Ecuador coach Luis Fernando Suarez says his side are under pressure to try and make it past the group stages at the World Cup finals this summer.
Suarez's side face hosts Germany, Poland and Costa Rica in Group A, hoping to go one better than they managed in Japan and Korea four years ago.
"There are no demand for us to be world champions, but indeed there is pressure, the pressure to make it past the first round," Suarez told Reuters. "That is our first objective.
"Ecuador still shows a lack of confidence, because when the team win many say it is not because of our strengths, but because of our rival's shortcomings."
Meanwhile, Suarez has warned temperamental striker Ivan Kaviedes that he will have to fit in or face an early exit from the summer showpiece.
"He is a key player and a special person," Suarez added. "He now knows that if he disrupts the team's concentration, he will be out of the squad."