But it is striking that these Colombian coaches have done better with Ecuador (much smaller and with less football tradition) than at home.

"We are making good progress," said Colombian coach Francisco Maturana.

The Colombian coach and one player were sent death threats during the tournament which forced the team to alter its lineup.

"England closed down the spaces; they were simply better," the Colombian coach, Hernan Dario Gomez, said.

For tonight's game (and in a group with Poland, Germany and Costa Rica in the tournament), Luis Fernando Suárez, Ecuador's Colombian coach, will field a mostly veteran team.

Several famous Colombian coaches have expressed a dislike of the new format and several teams have been in first place throughout the entire league stage, and then not even reached the final.

He won four league titles and the Copa Colombia with Millonarios as a player and a remarkable 14 league titles as a manager making him the most successful Colombian coach of all time.

Former Colombian coach, Jorge Luis Pinto, capped the Pachuca player for two friendly matches against Switzerland and Paraguay in late March 2007.

The game ended in a 1-1 draw and to Mora's credit, his penalty save from superstar Luca Toni forced many to take notice, including Luis Fernando Suarez, Ecuador's former Colombian coach.

Far from fearing Brazil, Ecuador had boldly predicted victory from the outset, with their Colombian coach, Hernan Dario Gomez, claiming: "Wednesday will be a different day for Ecuador."