Wednesday, June 12, 2002
Poland out to stop U.S. advance
The Associated Press
JEONJU, South Korea — Poland can't make the second round at the World Cup, but it can spoil things for the United States and do co-host South Korea a big favor in the process.
The Poles were knocked out of contention in a 4-0 loss Monday to Portugal. They face the United States on Friday, at the same time the South Koreans take on the Portuguese in the last Group D matches.
The Americans and Koreans tied 1-1 Monday and share the top spot in the group at four points from a win and a tie apiece. The Portuguese have three points from their win against Poland and are favored to beat the Koreans. Two teams go through to the second round from each of the eight four-team groups.
Poland goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek said it was important for Poland to beat the United States to make an impact on the tournament and repay the South Koreans, who've been “very good hosts to us and very good people.”
“I think we have a chance to be victorious,” against the Americans, said Dudek, a standout for Liverpool in the English Premier League. “We want to play well against the U.S. because we have to make some present or gift for the Korean people.
“We want to win for them, because if we beat the United States, it might help the Koreans go through to the next round — and they should.”
South Korea is co-host of the World Cup with Japan and, despite never having won a match at five previous World Cups, is within reach of qualifying for the second round. To have any chance, it must at least tie Portugal or hope Poland beats the United States.
But the U.S. team is on a high following its stunning 3-2 win over Portugal, the favorite in Group D, and a gritty tie with the Koreans. The Americans should handle a Polish lineup that has struggled during its first trip to the World Cup since 1986 and is scoreless.
The first European nation to advance to the World Cup through qualifying, Poland followed Slovenia among the first teams from Europe to be knocked out.
“We had hopes but they were only hopes ... unfortunately, we were too weak in the group to pass,” coach Jerzy Engel said. “It was very difficult, but we dreamed that we would go through.”
The 16 years between visits to the World Cup was also a major factor.
“We came in thinking we could beat Korea and the United States; maybe we were too confident,” said Engel, shrugging off suggestions his job was on the line.
“Sure, after the world championships we have to change a little bit. We knew that this tournament was going to be the end for some players — for those it was like the big ending of their international careers.
“They made a very big result just to get here. But to get here and to win here are two very different things.”
Engel said the national squad wanted to finish on a strong note against the Americans and then start planning for the 2004 European Championship.
Dudek admitted the direction of the team has to change. The Portuguese were overwhelming in counterattacks and the Polish weren't fast enough to combat them.
Crossing and passing into the goal-scoring area also was a problem.
“I don't think we got many chances and we didn't make much of the ones we had,” Dudek said. “I think delivery is a problem. (Our) delivery to the box should really be better.”
Dudek said reaching the World Cup was a new and amazing experience for all the Polish players.
“Hopefully we can take what we've learned into the next European Championship,” he said. “We look forward to doing that.”
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Poland out to stop U.S. advance 
