Poland hammered the minnows of Group 3, San Marino, 10 - 0 in Kielce, Wednesday night, the highest score a Polish team has scored in international competition ever.
Poland played with determination lacking against Northern Ireland at the weekend when they lost 3 goals to two. It will be difficult but the team still has chances to qualify to the World Cup finals in South Africa in 2010.
The defeat on Saturday raised the possible dismissal of national team coach Leo Beenhakker. It was speculated that the head of the Polish Football Association (PZPN) Grzegorz Lato – who is known for his dislike of the coach – could use the defeat as an excuse to get rid of the Dutchman.
After the stunning victory last night, however, Lato now has fewer reasons for dismissing the coach. “Beenhakker will be the first to find out about any possible changes,” Lato said after the game, and added that “winners are not to be judged”.
“Now we should concentrate on hard work, as our goal is to qualify for the World Cup finals in South Africa in 2010,” he said.
Beenhakker himself was clearly irritated with questions about his possible dismissal and stressed that he won’t discuss his future.
Still, Beenhakker was pleased with the result and believes that Poland has still chances to play in the World Cup finals. “It will be a very close race until the very last mach of this group,” he said.
Poland scored four goals in the first half against San Marino and could have sat back in the second, but didn’t. Goals came easily and the ten goal margin reflected the gulf between the two teams.
Though a ten goal haul is a good one against any international team, a little perspective must be put back in place - San Marino have let in an average of three goals a game against all opponents this season and have scored just a single goal. (pg/jm)