Ecuador taking one step at a time

BAD KISSINGEN, Germany, June 12 (Reuters) From also-rans who could only play at altitude to an odds-on bet for the knockout stage, attitudes towards Ecuador have transformed after just one match at the World Cup.

However, players and training staff are trying to rein in expectations that, four years after qualifying for the World Cup for the first time, they can now go one step further and progress from their group.

''We've not achieved anything historic yet,'' assistant coach Armando Osma told a news conference before training today.

Ecuador shocked Poland, a nation that has appeared in the World Cup finals six times and twice come third, with a 2-0 victory in their first Group A match on Friday.

Now they are looking forward to Thursday's encounter in Hamburg with Costa Rica, whom Germany beat 4-2, and a victory that should ensure Ecuador move into the second round.

''We're just 90 minutes from ensuring qualification but of course we've done nothing yet,'' said captain and central defender Ivan Hurtado.

Ecuador are trying to talk only about their next opponents, although are facing a barrage of questions about the following match against hosts Germany and a second-round encounter that could pit them against England.

''It would be good to play England but we need to get past Costa Rica first,'' said Ulises de la Cruz, who plays for English side Aston Villa. ''Perhaps a win could make us think about playing England.'' Besides the three points, confidence has been the chief benefit from last Friday's victory, with smiles across the faces of most of the squad.

Coach Luis Fernando Suarez has been quick though to urge Ecuadorean fans against assuming Ecuador are through, just as he dismissed pessimism before the tournament started, and his players adopted a similar tone.

''We have to come back to earth for these next matches,'' Hurtado said.

REUTERS SY ND2224