WROCLAW: Kieffer Moore (L) of Wales vies for the ball with Poland’s Kamil Glik during their Nations League match at Tarczynski Arena.—AFP
WROCLAW: Kieffer Moore (L) of Wales vies for the ball with Poland’s Kamil Glik during their Nations League match at Tarczynski Arena.—AFP

WROCLAW: Poland came from behind to snatch a 2-1 win over Wales on Wednesday at the start of the Nations League and deny the visitors a morale-boosting result ahead of their weekend bid to reach the World Cup finals for the first time in 64 years.

Substitute Karol Swide­rski scored five minutes from time to ensure victory for the World Cup-bound Polish in the League A Group Four match after Wales had taken an early second-half lead.

Jonny Williams struck home a driving right-footed shot from outside the penalty area as an under-strength Wales went ahead in the 52nd minute in Wroc­law before Jakub Kaminski equalised 20 minutes later.

Wales rested Gareth Bale, Ben Davies and Aaron Ramsey with an eye on qualifying for their first World Cup since the 1958 finals in Sweden, when they meet Ukraine in their playoff in Cardiff on Sunday.

“We had our plan for this game, but we played against a very good team. Poland fielded their best squad and we had Sunday’s game in sight, which is hugely important for us. Despite the defeat, there are plenty of positive things we can take from this game,” said Wales manager Rob Page.

Poland had to wait to wrap up the points and there was an element of good fortune about the winner as Swide­rski swept home from close range.

The ball fell perfectly for him, deflecting off the heel of Welsh defender Rhys Norrington-Davies after an initial effort from home captain Robert Lewandowski had been blocked.

Swiderski and teenager Kaminski revived a blunt-looking Polish attack when they came on, denying Welsh hopes of a first away success in Poland.

The second half started in the worst possible way for us with Wales scoring, but we managed to turn things around,” said Poland’s coach Czeslaw Michniewicz.

Williams strike had power and swerve and gave Polands debutant goalkeeper Kamil Grabara, formerly on Live­rpool’s books, no chance.

Kaminski equalised after being given time to push the ball onto his right foot as a static Wales defence backed off and presented the 19-year-old with the space he needed to give goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey no chance with the power of his shot.

Belgium and the Nethe­rlands complete Group 4 and those two sides will meet in Brussels on Friday.

After their play-off, Wales are due to host Belgium on June 8 and the Netherlands three days later.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...
Tribunals’ failure
Updated 19 Nov, 2024

Tribunals’ failure

With election tribunals having failed to fulfil their purpose, it isn't surprising that Pakistan has not been able to stabilise.
Balochistan MPC
19 Nov, 2024

Balochistan MPC

WHILE immediate threats to law and order must be confronted by security forces, the long-term solution to...
Firm tax measures
19 Nov, 2024

Firm tax measures

FINANCE Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is ready to employ force to make everyone and every sector in Pakistan pay their...