PAN PYLAS
Associated Press

CURITIBA, Brazil (AP) — Ecuador coach Reinaldo Rueda has hinted that he’s unlikely to make any changes for Friday’s crucial Group E game against Honduras and that his team has recovered from the setback of its last-gasp defeat in its opening game.

Despite losing 2-1 against Switzerland with virtually the last kick of the match, Rueda said Thursday in his pre-match news conference that his team had “played a good game.”

Rueda conceded that the manner of the defeat had “affected” his players but that they were ready for Honduras, a team he coached in the 2010 World Cup.

The game takes place after France and Switzerland play. If the two European sides draw, then defeat for either Ecuador or Honduras would end any hopes of qualifying for the World Cup’s knockout stages.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.