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FOOTBALL

Ecuador rock Poles for first shock

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Tenorio put Ecuador on their way with a 24th minute header.

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany -- Goals from Carlos Tenorio and Agustin Delgado enabled Ecuador to spring the first shock of the 2006 World Cup finals with a 2-0 Group A victory over Poland in Gelsenkirchen.

Tenorio headed home in the 24th minute from Delgado's flick-on and with 10 minutes left Delgado hit the clincher.

Poland, who have twice finished third at the World Cup, in 1974 and in 1982, were short on ideas in the final third of the pitch, although they did hit the woodwork twice in the closing stages.

Ecuador, who finished behind Brazil in Argentina in their qualifying group, next face Costa Rica while Poland take on hosts Germany.

Roared on by the vast majority of fans inside the Veltins Arena, Poland started brightly but Ecuador were the first to threaten, Segundo Castillo's dipping 25-yard volley comfortably saved by Artur Boruc.

Jacek Krzynowek drilled a free-kick wildly over the bar for Poland before Ecuador took the lead.

A long throw-in from the right touchline was flicked on by the gangly Delgado and Tenerio's angled header just eluded Boruc's outstretched hand for his sixth goal in 30 international appearances.

The same goalscoring combination almost doubled Ecuador's advantage five minutes later, but Delgado's cutback from the byline was blazed over the bar by Tenorio from a few yards out.

Ulises De La Cruz, Edison Mendez and Luis Valencia all had shots saved as Ecuador finished the first 45 minutes firmly in control.

Under pressure

Poland had Ecuador under pressure at the start of the second half and came close to levelling the score in the 52nd minute.

Miroslav Szymkowiak's superb through-ball found Krzynowek totally unmarked and clean through on goal, but after slamming the ball into the net his celebrations were cut short by a raised linesman's flag.

Ecuador captain Ivan Hurtado showed his vast experience on the hour, sliding in to block Szymkowiak's blistering shot with timely precision and keeping his side's hard-earned lead intact.

Ecuador killed off the contest in the 80th minute when substitute Ivan Kaviedes broke the offside trap before sliding the ball across goal and giving Delgado an easy tap-in.

Polish substitute Pawel Brozek hit the post in the final minute.

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