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 of the World Cup when they meet in Curitiba on Friday
Honduras' players take part in a training session at the Baixada Arena in Curitiba. Pic/AFP
Curitiba: 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 of the World Cup when they meet in Curitiba on Friday.
Honduras' players take part in a training session at the Baixada Arena in Curitiba. Pic/AFP
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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 won't make any changes for the game against the country he led at the last World Cup.
"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 that 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 front with Enner Valencia and Manchester United's Antonio Valencia in support.
Suarez, meanwhile, guided Ecuador to their best ever showing at the World Cup when they reached the last 16 in 2006.
Honduras were easily swept aside 3-0 by France on 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 ever 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.
"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 after he was forced off at half-time against France.
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