CARDIFF -- Poland moved closer to their
first World Cup finals appearance since 1986 with a 2-1 victory
over Wales in their European group five qualifier at Cardiff's
Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
The unbeaten Poles opened a five-point lead at the top of
the group with 16 points from six games and four to play as
second-placed Belarus were held 0-0 away to Armenia.
Wales, who have not qualified for the finals since 1958,
needed to notch up a first win to keep alive their slim hopes.
They are 12 points behind Poland.
Substitute Pawel Kryszalowicz struck the winner 18 minutes
from time as Poland came from behind.
Striker Nathan Blake of promoted English first division side
Blackburn Rovers gave the home side the lead after just 13
minutes when Polish goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek of Dutch club
Feyenoord fumbled the ball in his own area.
But Poland equalised through Nigerian-born striker Emanuel
Olisadebe just after the half hour.
Engel said Olisadebe has given Poland an extra dimension
since he opted for Polish citizenship.
Wales controlled the game for 20 minutes, more due to a lack
of urgency in the Polish team than their own efforts.
But when Wales took the lead, the visitors came to life,
taking a grip on the match and creating chances with continual
breaks in midfield.
Poland scored a deserved equaliser when Olisadebe latched
onto a pass from Thomasz Iwan and made no mistake with his
finish.
Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs should have given Wales
the lead just before the break but he inexplicably fired wide
with only the goalkeeper to beat.
The second half was scrappy for long periods, with several
skirmishes and bookings as Poland dictated the game.
Wales manager Mark Hughes was furious with what he believed
were blatant dives by Polish players under Welsh challenges.
Norway, Ukraine play to scoreless tie
KIEV -- Ukraine missed the chance to go
second in World Cup qualifying group five on Saturday after a
lacklustre 0-0 draw at home to Norway.
The Ukrainians made few chances despite the presence of AC
Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko and Tottenham Hotspur's Serhiy
Rebrov. Norwegian goalkeeper Thomas Myhre managed to keep out
the few opportunities the Ukrainians created.
Shevchenko's best chance came after 80 minutes, when he
controlled a Hennady Zubov pass on his chest and shot from close
range but his effort was kept out by a feet-first Myhre save.
The result left the Ukrainians third in the group on nine
points. Poland stay top on 16 points after beating Wales 2-1.
Belarus, whom the Ukraine could have overtaken with a win, were
second on 11 points after a goalless draw with Armenia.
Norway and Armenia remain the bottom of the group with two
points each.
Belarus, Armenia play to scoreless tie
YEREVAN -- Belarus wasted several chances
as they drew 0-0 away to Armenia in their World Cup group five
qualifier on Saturday.
Slavia Mozyr's Roman Vasilyuk was influential for the
visitors as they dominated the game but Armenia defended
resolutely to hold on for a point.
Belarus now have 11 points from five games, five behind
leaders Poland, who won 2-1 in Wales on Saturday.
Ukraine are third on eight points ahead of Saturday's game
with Norway. Wales are fourth with four and Armenia have three.
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