England draw Ecuador in WC warm-up

MIAMI, June 5 (AFP): Wayne Rooney and Rickie Lambert were on target for an experimental England side in a 2-2 friendly draw with Ecuador Wednesday which turned sour with two late red cards.
Ecuador grabbed an eighth minute lead through a thundering header from Enner Valencia before England drew level in the 29th minute with Rooney poking home after a scramble in the area.
Midfielder Ross Barkley produced a moment of fine individual skill to set up Lambert for a sweet strike in the 51st minute, but Ecuador fought back with a thundering drive from Michael Arroyo.
The double red cards came after a wild challenge from England substitute Raheem Sterling on Antonio Valencia.
The Ecuadorian winger, who plays for Manchester United, retaliated by grabbing the neck of the Liverpool youngster and American referee Jair Marrufo brandished two red cards.
Rooney was the only player named who started Friday's 3-0 win over Peru at Wembley Stadium as Roy Hodgson experimented with his options.
The Manchester United forward started on the left flank, not considered his favourite role, with Lambert, recently signed by Liverpool, at centre-forward.
"It was a very young line-up but I thought we acquitted ourselves quite brilliantly and played some very good football at times," Hodgson said.
"I was happy for (Wayne) that he scored his goal and both him and Frank Lampard, as the only two on the pitch with any significant number of caps, took their responsibility ever so well.
"They helped see us through what, in my opinion, is quite a well-merited and prestigious draw against a strong Ecuadorian team."
Ecuador also made five changes from the team which lost 3-1 to Mexico in Dallas Saturday as they looked to improve on a recent run of form ahead of their tests in Group E against France, Honduras and Switzerland.
The South Americans started brightly, exposing the unfamiliarity of England's back four, and they took the lead in just the eighth minute.