Ecuador vow to go on the attack

Ecuador will need to play more aggressive soccer if they are to succeed against an England team that coach Luis Fernando Suarez believes is among the best in the country's World Cup history.

"This is going to be a very tough match," Suarez said after Ecuador advanced to the second round of the tournament for the first time, despite a humbling 3-0 loss to hosts Germany on Tuesday.

"We know England. They have a good record at the World Cup and I believe they are one of the best teams in the entire history of England. We will have to change a lot of things. We must be more aggressive when we have the ball."

England battled Sweden to a 2-2 draw in a night match on Tuesday, securing first place in Group B and setting up a second round clash with Ecuador, who are making only their second appearance in the World Cup finals.

Ecuador won their first two matches and were already assured of qualification before the game at the Olympiastadion.

With this in mind, Suarez made five changes against Germany, installing an all-new striking duo of Ivan Kaviedes and Felix Borja in place of Carlos Tenorio and Agustin Delgado, who had notched two goals apiece in Ecuador's first two matches.

But the new-look team struggled badly, often misdirecting passes and looking at times like they were going through the motions.

Ecuador had not conceded a goal in their previous wins against Costa Rica and Poland but the Germans threatened their shaky defence repeatedly on Tuesday.

"We did not make quick short passes like we usually do and without the ball we were not aggressive," Suarez, a Colombian, said.

"We must correct everything we did wrong."

Suarez can take comfort in the knowledge that England have woes of their own.

England will be without striker Michael Owen, who twisted his knee minutes into the Sweden match, and will be hoping Wayne Rooney, who has only just recovered from a broken foot himself, and the relatively inexperienced but suddenly indispensable Peter Crouch avoid injury and bookings.

Ecuador play England on Sunday in Stuttgart.