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| June 24, 2006 | Saturday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 27, 1427 |
Watch for Rooney, coach warns Ecuador
BAD KISSINGEN, June 23: Coach Luis Fernando Suarez said Ecuador must beware England striker Wayne Rooney in Sunday's World Cup second-round match in Stuttgart.
“He's very fast in the last quarter (of the field) and it's difficult to disturb his movements with or without the ball,” Suarez told reporters on Friday.
“We must pay attention to him. He can make a difference at any moment.”
Although conceding England were favourites to win, Suarez took solace from the fact Ecuador's opponents had not been at their best in these finals.
“There's a possibility (to win) if they play at the level they have been playing, or worse,” said Suarez.
“But with such players you can always see them producing a fine performance. Brazil, for example, were pretty quiet in their first two matches but improved against Japan.”
England scraped a 1-0 victory over Paraguay, needed two late goals to defeat Trinidad & Tobago and drew 2-2 with Sweden in the opening round.
Suarez said Ecuador had only one fitness concern. Midfielder Edison Mendez has a leg injury and is undergoing tests.
Carlos Tenorio, rested for the final first-round game against Germany due to an ankle injury, and Agustin Delgado, who had picked up a yellow card, could return up front.
Captain Ivan Hurtado and midfielder Segundo Castillo, also rested in the last game because of cautions, are set to return.—Reuters
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