Coach Luis Fernando Suarez has targeted progress through the group stages as a realistic prospect for his Ecuador side at the World Cup finals in Germany.

Ecuador went out at the first hurdle four years ago, but Suarez believes his side can finish in the top two in Group A, where they face Costa Rica, Germany and Poland.

Suarez said: "I want to do better than we did at last World Cup in Korea and Japan.

"I want to play more than three matches, because if we get into the last 16 maybe we can advance further. I think that any team could qualify to the next stage.

"Germany are among the main candidates to win the World Cup. They play very well. They pass well and are good from set-pieces and in Michael Ballack they have a great attacking midfielder.

"But we have pace, good passing a strong defence and midfielders who can create goalscoring chances.

"All the teams have potential. We are not less than Germany."