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Sunday June 4, 2006

Striker Delgado and Ecuador coach in money row

BAD KISSINGEN (Germany): A row over money appears to have sidelined Ecuador striker Augustin Delgado less than a week before the start of the World Cup.

Coach Luis Fernando Suarez insists the 31-year-old is injured but insiders say the player’s demand for a bigger bonus prompted the manager to drop him from the squad’s recent warm-up games.

“Delgado has knee trouble. He can’t train and is undergoing physiotherapy. We’ll see next Friday if he’s fit,” said the coach.

Ecuador play their opening Group A game against Poland on Friday after the tournament kicks off in the afternoon with the match between group rivals Germany and Costa Rica.

Delgado, team spokesman on the issue of World Cup bonuses, claims he is not bothered by injury problems.

“I’m fit,” he told Colombian television.

The Ecuador Football Federation have offered US$30,000 for each victory in the group, but players have rejected this as too little, pointing out it was no more than they received in the last World Cup four years ago.

The row has been dragging on for weeks, and has not been helpful to the team’s preparations for the tournament.

The squad only managed to scrape home 4-3 in a practice match against a German university team made up of Third and Fourth Division players.

Seventeen-year-old striker Felipe Caicedo saved the South Americans’ blushes with two late goals which enabled them to clinch victory in Thursday’s game.

Ecuador’s media has urged the coach to give a late nomination to the youngster, something which Suarez refuses to do.

“Caicedo played the way he did because he was not under pressure. His time will come in a couple of years. I’ve got full confidence in the team who qualified for this World Cup. They will now have to prove themselves,” said the coach.

Suarez said goalkeeper Cristian Mora was certain to start in next Friday’s opening line-up despite conceding two easy goals against the German students.

The only uncertainty is Delgado, he said.

“We need to improve our performance,” said the coach. “The smallest mistake will be punished during the World Cup.”

The disappointing performance against the students has not diminished the coach’s confidence in his team.

“I’m convinced we’ll reach the second round,” he said. – dpa

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