Source: Xinhua
06-16-2008 10:52
Special Report: 2008 European ChampionshipsKLAGENFURT, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Poland have to win big against already qualified Croatia and need a lot of help in Monday's other group B match for their very last chance to stay on in the 2008 European Championship.
Coach Leo Beenhakker is preparing his players for the critical clash in Klagenfurt, hoping that Poland can still sneak into the quarter-finals "through the back door".
"We have to put our effort into what we have in our hands," said the Dutchman.
"We can't control events in Vienna. All I can do is plan with my players to try and get the win over Croatia.
"We are focusing on our task and then we have to hope things elsewhere go our way to qualify through the back door."
Poland sit fourth at the group bottom after taking one point from the first two games and their chances into the next round are slim.
Should Germany beat Austria in Vienna in the other match, their campaign will be over regardless of Monday's result.
Beenhakker's men, however, refused to give up.
"We will try to win and, if we can get a 2-0 victory, we have a chance," midfielder Mariusz Lewandowski said, "sometimes in football you have to hope and we hope we can do this."
Defender Michal Zewlakow pledged to do everything they can to give fans "something to cheer."
"Also if there is merely a one-in-a-million chance we go through to the last eight we have to fight until the bitter end toseize the opportunity," he said.
Croatia are enjoying this competition so far, building on the 1-0 opening win against Austria and a stunning 2-1 victory over Germany.
Two wins out of two games have left them with six points, three clear at the top of the group and assured of first place.
Manager Slaven Bilic's decision to field a makeshift lineup has added to Poland's chance although he was confident the "B" team would still live up to expectations.
"We have complete faith in the experimental side we will field because we play, practice and live as a compact unit so whoever is selected will have plenty of motivation," said Bilic.
"We also have to reward our fantastic fans for their support asI am sure they will turn up in numbers once again."
While Beenhakker appears set to retain his 4-3-3 attacking formation, expecting at least two clear goals, the 39-year-old Bilic wants to save his best team for Friday's quarter-final in Vienna against the Group A runners-up Turkey.
Poland beat Croatia 1-0 in their last meeting in a friendly in 2006 prior to that summer's World Cup - their only victory in four attempts against Croatia.
Editor:Xiong
