Ecuador face sleepless night as Mexico fans turn up the heat before World Cup clash
Ecuador's preparations were disrupted after Mexican supporters gathered outside the team's hotel overnight, adding to a difficult journey to the host city.
Ecuador endured a restless night ahead of their FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash against hosts Mexico after dozens of Mexican fans gathered outside the team's hotel in Mexico City in an apparent attempt to disrupt the visitors' preparations.
According to the Midland Daily News, supporters assembled outside the Westin Hotel in Santa Fe from around midnight until the early hours of Tuesday, using loudspeakers, car horns and revving motorcycles to create a noisy atmosphere before the knockout tie.
The gathering, reportedly organised through social media, reflected a long-standing - though increasingly controversial - tradition in Latin American football, where home supporters seek to gain a psychological edge by depriving visiting teams of sleep on the eve of important matches.
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The overnight disturbance followed a difficult journey for Ecuador, who had deliberately scheduled a late arrival on Monday to minimise the effects of Mexico City's 2,200-metre altitude.
Sports scientists generally recommend either spending at least two weeks acclimatising to high-altitude conditions or arriving shortly before a match to reduce the physiological impact of thinner air.
However, Ecuador's travel plans were disrupted by a lengthy flight delay.
Head coach Sebastián Beccacece said the team's flight from Columbus, Ohio, was delayed by more than three hours, stretching what was expected to be a shorter trip into a nine-hour journey.
"A flight delay, then the transfer to the hotel - it ended up being a nine-hour journey; we took three hours longer than scheduled. But the team is doing well and is excited, obviously facing an opponent that posted good results in the group stage," Beccacece said.
The challenges continued after Ecuador landed at Felipe Ángeles International Airport, about 65 kilometres from their hotel in Santa Fe, before navigating heavy traffic made worse by persistent rain on Monday night.
Despite the disrupted preparations, Ecuador will now attempt to put the distractions behind them when they face Mexico for a place in the Round of 16.
