Bosacki strikes twice, sends Poles home happy
SOCCER: Two goals by centre-back Bartosz Bosacki gave Poland a
2-1 victory over Costa Rica in their final Group A game on Tuesday and
sent a huge Polish support home with some consolation for an early World
Cup exit.
A Ronald Gomez free kick put Costa Rica in front against the run of
play in the 24th minute before Bosacki got on the end of corners from
Maciej Zurawski and Jacek Krzynowek either side of half time. They were
Bosacki's first goals in international football.
Both teams head home after defeats by Ecuador and Germany in their
first two games in the finals Group A.
Roared on by a 43,000 sellout crowd overwhelmingly dominated by their
colourful and loud fans, the Poles had started confidently on a hot and
humid afternoon, stroking the ball around well in midfield.
But they lacked the urgency that marked their brave performance
against Germany last week and apart from some incisive runs by Ireneusz
Jelen, they struggled to press the Costa Rican defence early on.
That all changed after Gomez gave Costa Rica the lead with a free
kick from 20 metres out, drilled through a hole in Poland's wall and
between the legs of goalkeeper Artur Boruc.
The Poles poured forward more aggressively and finally got their
reward for six first half corners when Bosacki volleyed home off the bar
in the 33rd minute.
The goal was the Poles' first at the finals.
Bosacki grabbed his second with a powerful header from close range
after climbing above Paulo Wanchope to connect with a corner in the 66th
minute.
Janas had added some extra pep up front at the break, introducing
youngster Pawel Brozek for Celtic's Maciej Zurawski, the Poles' biggest
name before the finals and a disappointment in all three games.
Brozek and Jelen looked lively but the Poles continued to be let down
by poor delivery from dead ball situations and the failure of the
midfield to get forward in support.
Jacek Krzynowek also went close with a long-range left-foot drive,
but other than set-pieces, the Poles had little to show for their
dominance.
HANOVER, Tuesday, Reuters |