Switzerland and Ecuador will look to gain the early advantage in Group E when the two sides meet at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia in their FIFA World Cup match.
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The first Group E match is scheduled for a 1 pm local time (9.30 pm IST, 5 pm BST, 12 pm ET) start with live coverage on Sony Six HD and Sony Six in India. The match can also be watched via live streaming online in India HERE. Watch the match in the UK on ITV and BBC with the live streaming option HERE or HERE. US viewers can catch the action on ESPN while the optioin to live stream is HERE. Australia viewers can go HERE to watch the game online, while South Africa viewers can watch the match HERE.
France are expected to walk it as toppers from Group E, with Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras expected to slug it out for second position. However, Switzerland or Ecuador, who have never played each other before, can put the pressure on France, who play Honduras later, if they manage to pick up three points in the opening match of Group E.
Switzerland began the 2010 World Cup in South Africa in stunning fashion, beating eventual champions Spain, before tailing off in their next two games and eventually missing out on qualification to the last 16.
Coach Otmar Hitzfeld, though, believes this Swiss side is a lot more capable, with a good blend of youth and experience. "We began the revolution in 2011 when we brought in younger players," Hitzfeld said. "We have a very strong younger generation and we also have young, yet experienced, players.
"In that sense we have a better mix and in human terms the team is better suited to each other. We are a bit more creative going forward and in defence we are still well organised.
"I am convinced we will perform better this time and that we will reach the last 16. Dreams are there to be realised. It is already a dream to be here in Brazil at the World Cup. My dream is of course that we reach the last 16, and then we can dream bigger."
Switzerland will know Ecuador will probably take to the Brazilian conditions better than themselves, with it making a fast start to the game paramount. If Switzerland, not exactly known for their goalscoring prowess can take it to Ecuador in the opening 15-20 minutes, then they will stand a better chance of picking up three points at the end of the 90.
Ecuador rely on their pacey wingers Antonio Valencia and Jefferson Montero quite a bit to spring on the counter, something that Hitzfeld is quite wary of. "Ecuador's strength is their counter and they can turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye," he added. "They also have two excellent centre-backs and the full backs are very quick.
"We know Ecuador's strengths and we know that we will have to be at our best tomorrow to win the game."
Ecuador might be a great counter-attacking team, which means waiting for the right moment to pounce with the ball, but coach Reinaldo Rueda insisted his side would take the game to Switzerland right from the off.
"'We are conscious of our potential as well as the differences we have within our group rivals," Rueda said. "But I trust Ecuador has a very good group and a very supportive one.
"They will know how to bear with the first 30 minutes, which will be very important against a team that put us under great pressure. But I hope to dictate the pace of the match, to have the game under our control."
Team news: Switzerland: Hitzfeld does not have any injuries to worry about, with the coach's main selection decision set to be on who to play at central defence. Steve Von Bergen will be on of the central defenders, with one of Fabian Schar, Philippe Senderos and Johan Djourou set to partner him.
Ecuador: Segundo Castillo was ruled out of the World Cup last week, while Christian Noboa is a doubt after picking up a knock in training.
Expected lineups: Switzerland: Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Von Bergen, Senderos, Rodriguez; Xhaka, Inler; Shaqiri, Mehmedi, Stocker, Drmic.
Ecuador: Dominguez; Paredes, Erazo, Guagua, Ayovi; Antonio Valencia, Castillo, Noboa, Montero, Calcedo, Enner Valencia.
Prediction: 2-2
