GUAYAQUIL. Ecuador. May 26: World Cup qualifiers Argentina, with Claudio Caniggia making his return after a suspension imposed last year for drug abuse, suffered a demoralising 1-0 defeat against unrated Ecuador in a friendly on Wednesday, reports Reuter.

Central defender Byron Tenorio headed an 82nd-minute winner for Ecuador, who- were missing their two top players and were playing their first game under new coach Carlos Torres Garces.

Argentina, playing .in the same stadium where they won last year's Copa America, had already been under criticism at home for their performance In a 3-3 draw away to Chile last week.

Coach Alfio Basile now has just two friendlies left to sort out Argentina's problems before their opening World Cup game against Greece on June 21.

Ecuador, who have never qualified for the World Cup, had assembled their team at the last minute for the game, hastily arranged after Argentina pulled out of a tour to Japan when- Diego Maradona was refused a visa.

Central defender Raul Noriega. based with Boca Juniors of Argentina, and player Alex Aguinaga, based in Mexico, were absent for Ecuador, eliminated in the World Cup qualifiers by Brazil and Bolivia.

Maradona, who made two of the goals in the game with Chile, was again slow and covered little ground in midfield but produced some touches which often took his own teammates as well as the Ecuador defence, by surprise’.

Caniggia, whose ban ended last month, was isolated in attack and ineffective.

The first half was evenly balanced, with most of the play concentrated In midfield. Ecuador showed better technique but Argentina had the best chances when Dario Franco sent a diving header narrowly wide. <

The home team became -more daring in the second half ’ and created several chances - before Tenorio's goal.