urawski maintains Poland run
Wednesday, 28 March 2007
Poland secured their fifth consecutive UEFA EURO 2008′
qualifying win as they defeated Group A rivals Armenia
1-0.
Lead stretched
Maciej ¯urawski’s first-half strike proved enough for
the home side who were never really threatened by
Armenia and had numerous opportunities to extend their
advantage. With Finland’s surprise 1-0 loss to
Azerbaijan earlier in the day and Portugal’s 1-1 draw
with Serbia, Poland’s lead in the group now stands at
five points.
Early domination
Poland dominated the early stages with Lukasz Gargula
pulling the strings in midfield and Jacek Krzynówek
displaying his array of sublime ball skills. It was
Krzynówek who had the first attempt on goal, spinning
from 12 metres to fire a low right-footed shot which
Roman Berezovsky did well to save to his left.
¯urawski curler
Leo Beenhakker’s team went ahead on 26 minutes when
Micha³ ¯ew³akow threaded a low pass to ¯urawski. With
his back to goal, the Celtic FC forward turned away
from two defenders before curling a right-footed
effort inside the far post from 14 metres. A minute
later it was almost 2-0 as Berezovsky punched away
Krzynówek’s ferocious free-kick.
Shahgeldyan chance
Armenia’s only attack of the half came eight minutes
before the interval when Artavazd Karamyan found Levon
Pachajyan on the left and his inviting cross was
centimetres shy of Armen Shahgeldyan’s outstretched
boot as the striker slid in at the back post. The
ubiquitous Krzynówek could have doubled the Polish
advantage on 50 minutes but blazed wildly over, five
minutes before Przemys³aw Ka?mierczak followed suit.
Berezovsky brilliance
Gargula appeared certain to put the tie beyond doubt
on 71 minutes but his powerful strike was kept out by
Berezovsky and a minute later ¯urawski teed up Jakub
B³aszczykowski, only for the midfielder to miscue.
Poland were queueing up to score by now and Gargula
wasted their last opportunity, heading over at the far
post late on after more good work by the goalscorer.
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