Ecuador coach accuses team

Ecuador's players console each other

Ecuador coach Hernan Dario Gomez accused his side of "lacking character" after a 2-1 defeat to Mexico.

The World Cup debutants are not mathematically out of the competition, but their fate is not in their hands.

Southampton striker Agustin Delgado got Ecuador off to a dream start, but they fell away after that, with a late rally proving too little.

Mexican reaction

Gomez said: "I think that we were equal in the first few minutes but I think it fell down after that."

Ecuador's coach confirmed two of his substitutions were not prompted by injury.

Gomez said: "I made two substitutions because the players showed the wrong attitude.

"The team showed a lack of character but they are young players."

Gomez conceded that with the mathmatics not on their side, it is unlikely Ecuador will progress to the second round.

Match report

He said: "To be eliminated is a blow but it is worse to play the way we did.

"Now we are able to play a friendly in the third game maybe they will show what they can do."

Asked about his personal future as coach, he replied: "Mine? I don't know."