Poland vs Northern Ireland

Poland came into this World Cup qualifier in a dismal fourth place with only four matches remaining before the World Cup finals next year.

Northern Ireland came into the match in second place in this European Group 3.

A win by Poland would see them take over second place in the table, but the home crowd in Chorzow would have to settle for the draw on this night.

The draw keeps Poland in the running for a spot in South Africa next year, but only very barely.

All group winners advance to the finals, and only a few second place teams advance.

Poland played without sensational striker Ireneusz Jelen, who has yet to play for his French club this early season due to injury.

The match started with Northern Ireland having most of the better chances, culminating in the 38th minute with the opening goal.

It came courtesy of Kyle Lafferty after a Polish defensive lapse, which allowed Lafferty to remain onside and receive the ball unmarked near the center line.

Lafferty then scampered toward the Polish goal with the defense left behind and only the keeper to beat.

Lafferty did just that, putting the ball between the legs of Poland’s star keeper Artur Boruc and the goal posts.

The goal awoke a rather listless Poland up to that point.

Only four minutes later and Poland had their best chance thus far.

It started with great individual effort by Jacek Krzynowek, who took the ball and ran deep into the Irish penalty area, dancing around several Irishmen en route.

Krzynowek then dumped the ball back for Ludowic Obraniak, whose short range first timer was headed away by a defender standing on the goal line.

Only a minute later and Obraniak was in the thick of it again, when his free kick ricocheted off the post.

The second half started with Poland substituting Obraniak with Ebi Smolarek, who currently is without a club.

Poland came out after the interval with more uninspired play, allowing Northern Ireland a wonderful opportunity in the 65th minute which was strikingly similar to their first goal.

However, this time the finish was just wide of the post.

It was shortly thereafter that Poland took almost complete control of the offensive play, as the Irish seemed to tire.

Poland’s newly found offensive dominance finally paid off in the 80th minute with an equalizer credited to Mariusz Lewandowski, sliding in the penalty area and apparently latching onto a short cross, although replays indicate it was actually an own goal.

More great chances came from Poland, including the Brazilian Roger who holds a Polish passport, and his shot from distance with plenty of venom that was barely saved by the diving keeper Taylor.

But Northern Ireland fought off the late Polish onslaught and held on to preserve the point, thus making Poland’s campaign to the first ever African World Cup more improbable.