Poland

FERGIE’S PORTUGUESE PROBLEMS MOUNT

The Portuguese Football Federation has identified Carlos Queiroz as the most likely successor to Luis Felipe Scolari following his decision to join Chelsea. The Manchester United Assistant Manager had been believed to be Sir Alex Ferguson’s chosen successor when he eventually retires.

If the reports are correct, it puts Ferguson in an invidious position. On the one hand, he wants Queiroz to remain at Old Trafford, not least because of the almost paternal relationship he enjoys with Cristiano Ronaldo, who needs to be managed carefully due to his choreographed desire to move to Real Madrid. Countering that is the recognition that for Queiroz, such an opportunity would almost certainly be the peak of his career. It is likely that Ferguson would try to dissuade his assistant taking the appointment but he can give no assurances that the United Board would appoint Queiroz as manager when the time comes.

Ferguson needs a strong number two by his side. He has tried to combine both roles previously which was an unmitigated failure. His most successful seasons have been with a knowledgeable coach by his side and with the role of the manager becoming ever more voluminous in its duties, to do both roles may hasten his retirement.

Were Queiroz to be appointed, it would help to wipe the memories of his last venture away from Old Trafford, a trophyless spell at the Bernabeu.

POLES DANCE TO CROATIAN TUNES

EURO 2008 MATCHDAY TEN
GROUP B
POLAND 0 - 1 CROATIA

A much changed Croatia side sent Poland packing last night in Klagenfurt. The result was largely irrelevant given Germany’s victory over Austria which meant that the Poles were on their way home in any case. Croatia meanwhile have a quarter-final against Turkey later this week in which they are favourites to progress to the last four and a meeting with either Portugal or Germany.

Despite the changes, Croatia were superior to their opponents throughout the match and might have taken the lead earlier but for another great performance by Artur Boruc in the Polish goal. His heroics ensured that the teams went into the half-time interval level, saving well from Kranjic, Ratikic and Klasnic.

It was Klasnic who broke the deadlock early in the second half, ramming the ball home from twelve yards. The Poles came to life and Smolarek went close to finding the equaliser as did Guerrero but the Croats stood firm to maintain their 100% record.

EURO 2008 MATCHDAY SIX: [GROUP B] AUSTRIA 1 - 1 POLAND

Both team’s maintain faint hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals following this draw in the Ernst Happel Stadion thanks to some outstanding goalkeeping from Poland’s Artur Boruc. Austria had the chances to bury the Poles in the opening half an hour but a mixture of woeful inadequacy in front of goal and Boruc’s inspired form kept the Eastern Europeans in the game, Leitgeb wasting the best of those chances, shooting straight at the Pole when rounding the keeper seemed the easier option. Boruc had earlier kept Hamic’s effort out, deflecting his shot wide and the same player shot straight at Boruc after Korkmaz’s pace took him clear of two defenders.

The co-hosts were made to pay for their profligacy when Smolarek crossed from the right to find Roger unmarked and two yards from goal. Offside claims were made but the cross clearly came off an Austrian defender before finding the naturalised Pole.

As time ran out for the Austrians, it seemed that their tournament was coming to an end. Two minutes into injury time, Lewandowski was judged to have pulled Proedl to the ground. Howard Webb, the English referee, pointed to the spot and Vastic buried the chance to salvage a draw.

It leaves the Austrians requiring a victory over Germany to have any chance of qualifying for the next phase. The two countries owe the world a good game following their disgraceful collusion in the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. At least this time, one of them has to win. A draw may yet not be good enough for the Germans to progress for if the Poles beat the Czechs, goal difference comes into the equation.