Poland v Ecuador - Preview

Boniek tips 'Magic' Zurawski to inspire Poland

Former Poland great Zbigniew Boniek believes 'Magic' Maciej Zurawski can be the current team's inspiration at the World Cup and especially in Friday's Group A opener here against Ecuador.

"It's about time Poland had a big name to make people sit up and take notice and I think we've found him in Zurawski," said Boniek, the driving force behind the Poles' third place finish at the 1982 finals in Spain.

"In my opinion, Zurawski is a complete player."

In other team news, Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc has been given the goalkeeping job against the South Americans according to fellow keeper and teammate Lukasz Fabianski.

Nicknamed 'Magic' by fans at his Scottish club Celtic, the 29-year-old Zurawski has been a relatively late bloomer who will shoulder Poland's goal-scoring responsibilities.

He found the net seven times during their qualifying campaign, and enjoyed a prolific first season at Celtic with 16 goals in 22 matches which helped them claim the league title.

Ecuador may come down to earth

Ecuador, who failed to make it past the first round in their one previous World Cup appearance four years ago, finished a commendable third in their qualifying group Brazil and Argentina.

Their impressive finish was due largely to their formidable home form where they had the advantage of playing at high altitude. They were unbeaten in Quito, claiming 23 of their 28 points.

Ecuador's main attacking threat will come from striker Edison Mendez, whose five goals helped secure qualification, while the experience of 31-year-old Ivan Hurtado will be invaluable to their defence.

Highly-driven coach Luis Suarez has revitalised Ecuador by axeing many of the old guard and replacing them with hungry youngsters like Luis Valencia, a member of the Villarreal team that reached this season's Champions League semi-finals.

Teams

Poland

Artur Boruc, Marcin Baszczynski, Jacek Bak (capt), Mariusz Jop, Michal Zewlakow, Ebi Smolarek, Radoslaw Sobolewski, Jacek Krzynowek, Arkadiusz Radomski, Miroslav Szymkowiak, Maciej Zurawski Coach: Pawel Janas

Ecuador

Cristian Mora, Ulises de la Cruz, Ivan Hurtado (capt), Giovanny Espinoza, Neicer Reasco, Segundo Castillo, Edwin Tenorio, Edison Mendez, Luis Valencia, Agustin Delgado, Carlos Tenorio: Coach: Luis Suarez

Referee

M. Toru Kamikawa (JPN)