Source: Xinhua
06-13-2008 09:43
Special Report: 2008 European ChampionshipsVIENNA, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Austria kept their Euro 2008 hopes alive after an injury-time penalty awarded the co-hosts a 1-1 draw with Poland in their second-round Group B match on Thursday.
Ivica Vastic kept his cool to convert the penalty earned by Sebastian Prodl to cancel out Poland's first half goal by Roger Guerreiro, avoiding Austria's early exit from their first European tour.
English referee Howard Webb ruled that Mariusz Lewandowski hauled down Prodl and substitute Vastic had the honor to slam in Austria first-ever European championship goal.
"He did make a foul," said Prodl, "It does not only belong to our team but to the whole nation."
Vastic believed they still had the chance to beat Germany and emerge as group runners-up after Croatia, who had advanced into quarterfinals following a 2-1 win over favorites Germany earlier.
"Goal, goal, goal," the Linz forward said," I'm confident we can still score more goals in the following matches."
Guerreiro opened the scoring for Pland, hammering in a deflection from close range after 30 minutes.
Marek Saganowski picked up a cross with his chest and although his efforts was deflected, the ball went into Gurreiro's path who did not squander the chance.
Austrians, with vocal home support, went into complete domination from the very beginning with pace and sharpness, firing seven shots already within the opening 20 minutes compared to Poland's one.
But a superb Boruc blocked all their chances in the live-or-die second-round match with both sides losing their opening games on Sunday.
Werder Bremen's Martin Harnick, who celebrated his 21-year-old birthday two days ago, missed two golden opportunities in three minutes including one utilizing a Poland defence lapse as Boruc reacted quickly to come to rescue.
Christoph Leitgeb also went close to goal in the 16th minute.
Poland, cheered up by their unexpected first half edge, fully recovered after the restart and their penetration forced Prodl's second yellow card of the tournament, which would see him missing their final group game against Germany.
Austria's keeper Jurgen Macho did no worse than his counterpart with a 62nd minute double save, the first with his leg from Jacek Bak and then punching away Mariusz Lewandowski's follow-up effort.
He also showed his determination to parry Jacek Krzynowek's powerful free kick, leaping in the air and scooping the ball over the bar with his right hand.
Editor:Zhang Ning
