Poland – Ecuador

1. Hi, welcome to ESPN Soccernet's coverage of the second Group A game of the opening day - Poland v Ecuador.

2. Poland will be keen to launch their campaign with a victory to get their bid for a second-round place underway.

3. The players are out on the pitch, and running through the National Anthems. We're almost ready to go.

4. Poland kick off on a warm, close evening.

5. 1'

   Ecuador are one of the unknown quantities of the tournament; they beat both Brazil and Argentina on route to qualifying.

6. 2'

   Both sides seem to be lining up with an orthodox 4-4-2 formation.

7. 3'

   Reasco defends well down near the touchline as Smolarek tries to beat him and head in to the penalty area.

8. 4'

   Both sides look a little edgy; this is a massive match for these two countries, and it might take a while for the players to come to terms with the atmosphere and sense of occasion.

9. 4'

   Szymkowiak clips a good ball over the top for Zurawski to chase, but the pass is a little too strong and Mora collects.

10. 5'

    Zurawski has had a wonderful season for his club Celtic in Scotland; the big striker scored 20 goals in his first season in Glasgow, and should come in to the tournament full of confidence.

11. 6'

    There are a lot of Polish fans in the stadium; of course, it is just a short trip across the border for Poland, so they should have good support throughout their group games.

12. 6'

    WIDE! Valencia has the first shot of the game, dragging a right-foot shot well wide of the post with a grass-hugging effort.

13. 7'

    Ecuador look to be a strong side, physically; they should have no problem matching up with the Poles, who are also a tall, broad side.

14. 7'

    Poland win the first corner of the match; Zurawski takes the set-piece, but Mora comes through a crowd to punch clear.

15. 8'

    Tenorio is brought down by Sobolewski in midfield; free-kick to the South Americans, but Poland head the set-piece clear.

16. 9'

    Bak catches a stray elbow in the face from Tenorio; he takes some treatment from the physio, but is soon back on his feet and in the thick of the action.

17. 10'

    It has been a scrappy start from both sides; neither has really settled yet. There are a lot of passes going astray in midfield.

18. 11'

    SHOT! Castillo tries a shot from distance, but Boruc is able to catch comfortably.

19. 11'

    Poland are defending very deep, allowing Ecuador to have the ball in front of them and waiting for the lofted pass in to Delgado.

20. 12'

    Jop goes in strongly on Tenorio, and is warned by the referee.

21. 13'

    Ecuador have made a decent enough start here; they certainly don't look overawed or nervous and are competing well in the midfield area.

22. 14'

    Mendez shoves Krzynowek off the ball on the edge of the penalty area, and the referee is quick to award the Poles a free-kick in a dangerous spot...

23. 15'

    ...the referee is very particular about the defensive wall, but eventually he blows his whistle...

24. 16'

    ...Szymkowiak fires the free-kick high over the crossbar. Poor effort.

25. 17'

    Boruc has to be quick to get to a back-header that fell a little short from Jop. The goalkeeper had to be aware, there.

26. 18'

    Zurawski sends a free-kick in from the right-edge of the penalty area, but it doesn't beat the defensive wall and goes out for a corner.

27. 19'

    Again, Zurawski fails to send a quality set-piece in to the area as his corner is cleared at the near post.

28. 20'

    WHAT WAS THAT? Zurawski cuts in from the right wing, but his cross/shot flies high and wide. Dreadful.

29. 21'

    The quality of the final pass has been really poor so far this match; there has been a lot of battling play in midfield, but no decent service in to the strikers.

30. 22'

    After the excitement and drama of the opening match of the tournament, this has been a real let-down. No real quality on show at all.

31. 23'

    Tonorio almost gets on the end of a free-kick, chipped in to the penalty area, but the ball runs away from him and out for a goal-kick.

32. 24'

    GOAL! Tonorio ghosts in at the far post, gets in front of his marker and nods a long throw in to the far corner from six yards out.

33. 25'

    Hopefully that goal will lift this game out of the doldrums; Poland will have to find some quality now to break down Ecuador and get back in to this match.

34. 26'

    The Polish fans in the crowd really can't believe it; they came here expecting a comfortable victory to get their tournament off to a good start, but are now facing a real battle.

35. 27'

    De la Cruz has had a tough time down the Ecuador right, and it seems to be an area that Poland are looking to exploit. He looks a little uncertain in his defensive positioning.

36. 28'

    WHAT A CHANCE! Delgado spoons a shot over the crossbar from close-range after great play from Tonorio.

37. 29'

    Sobolewski slides a pass in to the area for Smolarek to chase, but it is too strong; Poland really haven't found their range of passing in the final third as yet.

38. 30'

    Hurtado is hashly booked for a shove on Szymkowiak as the Poles looked to break down the right channel.

39. 31'

    Szymkowiak curls the set-piece in to the crowded penalty area, but Mora claims comfortably.

40. 32'

    ALMOST! De la Cruz beats his man inside the penalty area and fires a scuffed shot across the face of goal, but Jop sticks out a boot and deflects it out for a corner.

41. 33'

    Sobolewski tries to feed a pass in to Zurawski, but again the pass has too much zip on it and Mora is able to collect on the edge of his penalty area.

42. 34'

    Maciej Zurawski looks to be a little isolated up front for Poland; he needs more support, a link-man to provide him with some decent service.

43. 35'

    Smolarek throws himself to the ground like a girl after the slightest of shirt-tugs in midfield. Terrible histrionics from the Pole. Get up, and get on with the game.

44. 36'

    Tonorio is caught by Smolarek; the referee deems the challenge dangerous enough to award a yellow card.

45. 37'

    Ecuador are lining up an ambitious shot from this free-kick; it must be 40 yards out...

46. 37'

    GOOD HANDS! Mendez fires in the shot, but the keeper shows good handling skills to clutch the ball under pressure.

47. 38'

    BLOCK! Zurawski fires in a shot, but his effort is blocked on the edge of the penalty area. Poland look pretty clueless in attack, to be honest.

48. 39'

    GOOD DEFENDING! Szymkowiak volleys an excellent cross back across the face of goal, but Hurtado hooks the ball clear of danger.

49. 40'

    Delgado chases a long pass forward, but Bak shows good strength to hold him off and flick the ball back to his keeper.

50. 41'

    GET UP, YOU BIG GIRL'S BLOUSE! Krzynowek throws himself to the ground, looking for a penalty. The referee disagrees, but declines the chance to book him for the blatant dive.

51. 42'

    WELL STRUCK! Valencia fires in a fierce shot from just outside the penalty area, but Boruc claims comfortably.

52. 43'

    Szymkowiak fires in a corner from the right, but Sobolewski can't direct his header on target.

53. 44'

    The referee has a word with the Ecuadorian goalkeeper for time-wasting. Mora takes it in good spirits; he looks a chirpy little fellow.

54. 45'

    A half-cleared cross falls to Krzynowek on the edge of the penalty area, but Reasco flies out to ensure the Pole can't get a shot away.

55. 46'

    HALF-TIME: Ecuador have a deserved lead. Poland have been dreadful, really poor. They look clueless going forward. In truth, it's been a fairly bad match for the neutral.

56. 45'

    Ecuador kick off the second half; no changes at the break.

57. 46'

    Ecuador immediately launch a long ball forward for Delgado to get his head on. I wonder what their tactics will be as they try to see out this match.

58. 47'

    Smolarek cuts inside his marker down the right wing, but his touch is too strong and Ecuador recover possession.

59. 48'

    Boruc easily claims a long free-kick in to the back post; he has looked solid, the Polish goalkeeper.

60. 49'

    Radomski's cross is deflected behind for a corner, despite the athletic work of Mora, who tried his best to keep the ball in play.

61. 50'

    Mora claims a bouncing ball, under pressure from Zurawski. Although he has looked suspect under the high ball, the Ecuadorian goalkeeper has generally done okay, so far this evening.

62. 51'

    Poland have come out well after the break; the look to have had a real rollocking at half-time from their coach, and have come out with a bit more urgency.

63. 52'

    The Polish supporters are trying their best to raise their side, but it must be difficult when your side looks as gormless as this.

64. 53'

    Acrobatic defending from Hurtado prevents the ball getting through to Zurawski on the edge of the area; Poland do seem to be building some momentum.

65. 54'

    GREAT FINISH! OFF-SIDE! Krzynowek blasts a left-foot shot in to the corner from the edge of the area, although the referee has already blown for off-side.

66. 55'

    GOOD DEFENDING! Espinoza shows good bravery to slide in and block the shot of Krzynowek after he was slid in down the left-channel.

67. 55'

    The Poland fans have really been lifted by the positive start to this half; they are making as much noise as they possibly can, trying to lift their side.

68. 56'

    Poland need to take advantage of this good spell with an equalising goal.

69. 57'

    Ecuador's plan appears to be to get as many players behind the ball as they possibly can, and try to play with some pace and power on the break.

70. 58'

    This is a fabulous stadium, and despite the rather torpid nature of the match, the atmosphere is really good. Probably better than in the first match.

71. 59'

    GREAT DEFENDING! Espinoza and Hurtado throw themselves at shots from two Polish strikers in some wonderful committed defending.

72. 60'

    Tomorio catches an arm in the face from Jop, but he soon climbs to his feet. What a brave soul.

73. 61'

    Espinoza does well to turn a dangerous cross over his own crossbar; it was a crucial piece of defending, as Zurawski was waiting to turn the ball goalwards at the back post.

74. 62'

    Poland are certainly controlling the pace of the game, but Ecuador are defending heroically and still look quite dangerous on the break.

75. 63'

    Delgado shows an amazing touch to turn Jop; he breaks in to the penalty area but then rather tamely tumbles to the ground. No penalty.

76. 64'

    Ecuador have put a lot in to this second half but they should be a fit side, given the altitude of their home country.

77. 65'

    Hurtado goes down after taking a knock to his thigh; he is taken off on a stretcher, not a good sign for the South Americans.

78. 65'

    ECUADOR SUB: Tonorio is replaced by Kaviedes.

79. 66'

    Ecuador are defending very deep, but they seem to be well organised and very committed in defence; they have a good chance of holding on to this lead.

80. 67'

    Hurtado has been revived and is ready to come back in to the action. HERE HE COMES! What a brave lad.

81. 68'

    POLAND SUB: Jelen comes on to replace Sobolewski; an attacking change from the Poles, who bring on the big 6ft-odd striker to replace their midfield man.

82. 69'

    AWFUL PASS! Szymkowiak has a great chance to slide in the substitute Jelen, but he overhits his pass and Mora claims.

83. 69'

    ECUADOR SUB: Hurtado is replaced by Guagua; the Ecuador skipper was too hampered by that thigh injury, and is replaced by the centre-back Guagua.

84. 71'

    One or two of the South American players are starting to look a little weary, but the goal should give them a lot to hang on to. Knowing they have the lead should give them a real boost going in to the final stages of his match.

85. 72'

    Still the Polish fans try to lift their side, waving their scarves and singing with real gusto and heart.

86. 73'

    GOOD SAVE! Mendez fires in a low volley from the edge of the penalty area, but Boruc is down quickly to push the ball clear.

87. 74'

    That effort from Mendez should serve as a warning to Poland; the more they push up in search of this equaliser, the more they will be vulnerable at the back.

88. 75'

    LAST-DITCH CLEARANCE! Poland get round the back of the Ecuador defence, but the cross to the back post is brilliantly flicked clear by Reasco.

89. 76'

    Poland, for all their possession, haven't really had too many clear-cut chances, and that is all down to the determination of the Ecuadorians; they have shown fantastic spirit.

90. 77'

    De la Cruz takes a tumble after a rare venture forward down the right flank, but the referee spots no foul.

91. 78'

    POLAND SUB: Krzynowek makes way for Kosowski; Krzynowek has had a poor game, especially his delivery from set-pieces, which has been nothing short of embarrassing.

92. 79'

    OOH! Szymkowiak sends in an ambitious volley from the edge of the penalty area after he had been picked out by a corner; it flies high and wide.

93. 80'

    Kosowski is brought down by a strong challenge on the touchline, although the referee allows play to go on; he has had a good game, the official; really tried to let the game flow when he can.

94. 81'

    GOAL! Delgado sweeps home from six yards out after Kaviedes had sprung the off-side trap and slid a pass across the face of goal.

95. 82'

    The Polish fans are in shock; Delgado's 30th international strike has all-but sealed a shocking start to their tournament.

96. 83'

    ECUADOR SUB: Delgado is replaced by Urrutia; a defensive move from the South Americans, who bring on a midfielder to try and see out the match.

97. 84'

    POLAND SUB: Zurawski is replaced by Brozek; Zurawski has had nothing to work with this evening; the Polish midfield has been impotent.

98. 85'

    Ecuador win a corner; they still commit plenty players forward, despite their lead, but Poland manage to clear.

99. 86'

    OFF THE BAR! Jelen strikes a shot against the crossbar from close range; perhaps the substitute should have done a bit better there.

100. 86'

     Espinoza again cuts out a cross at the near post; he has been immense for the South Americans.

101. 87'

     Poland again contrive to mess up a promising attack when Kosowski slips as he tries to cross from the right wing.

102. 88'

     Ecuador are closing out this match with relative ease, although I'm not sure whether that is down to the quality of their defending, or the toothless nature of the Polish attacks. Probably both.

103. 89'

     OFF THE POST! It's not Poland's night. Brozek cuts inside from the right, but his left-foot shot slams against the upright. He looks upset, though I'm sure he'll get over it.

104. 92'

     FULL-TIME: Ecuador deservedly get off to a flyer. Poland were woeful, utterly devoid of invention in the final third of the field, although Ecuador defended manfully.

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