Ecuador coach sounds note of caution after win over Peru

Supporters of the Ecuador national soccer team should guard against high expectations after the side upset Peru in a friendly, coach Hernan “Bolillo” Gomez said Friday.

“We should be more humble in Ecuador, have a little more respect, believe a little more in the players, because this atmosphere in the country is very difficult for the team,” he said.

Ecuadorian media and supporters reacted with euphoria to the 2-0 victory in Lima against a team that turned in a respectable performance in the 2018 World Cup .

“We did a good job against Peru, and the result should be enough for the players to believe in the group, which gives us confidence, nothing more,” said the man who, in his previous stint with the team, led Ecuador to their first World Cup participation in 2002.

Bolillo went on to praise Peru for helping him to spot weaknesses in his squad.

Gomez joined Ecuador over the summer after coaching Panama at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Ecuador has won three of the five matches - all of them friendlies - it has played since Gomez returned.