Poles look back in time

Ecuador8217;s recent form has been patchy but coach Luis Fernando Suarez believes his side will be far tougher than the team which folded on their World Cup debut four years ago. They will also be anxious to prove they are as capable of winning big games at sea-level as they are at the lung-bursting high altitude of Quito. The South Americans were unbeaten in their home qualifying games and the only match they won away was also at high altitude in Bolivia.

Suarez is quietly confident about his side8217;s chances against Poland but remains pragmatic. 8220;We must begin very cautiously,8221; he told reporters. 8220;We should seek to take advantage when space opens and catch them on the break. Ecuador have grown as a team. We have more experience and now we have to prove that to everyone.8221;

Poland should start as slight favourites, however, after successfully testing Janas8217;s rejigged system with a 1-0 victory over Croatia last weekend. Janas8217;s decided to ditch his preferred 4-4-2 shape and emulate former coach Kazimierz Gorski, who employed a five-man midfield behind a lone striker to great effect in 1974. Both sides will have the advantage of knowing the result of the tournament8217;s opening game between Group A rivals Germany and Costa Rica before they kick off in Gelsenkirchen.