Edgy Spurs scrape through in Krakow
Heurelho Gomes made some important saves to see off Wisla Krakow - just
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Thursday, 02, Oct 2008 10:41
Struggling Tottenham Hotspur just managed to qualify for the group stages of the Uefa Cup after a nervy 1-1 draw away to Wisla Krakow earned them a 3-2 aggregate victory.
A dull match came to life in the second half when an own goal gave the visitors a barely deserved 1-0 lead on the day and a 3-1 advantage overall.
Despite Spurs having chances to finish the tie, Krakow set up an edgy final ten minutes when Pawel Brozek lobbed Gomes to level the game.
But the Premier League side just about rode out the storm to claim a draw and a place in the next round.
A very quiet first half was epitomised by the fact that what was going on in the stands was of greater interest than events on the pitch.
The vocal Polish supporters - as they had done at White Hart Lane two weeks previously - created a hostile atmosphere and a genuine spectacle, with inventive chants and collective arm gestures.
A Spurs side clearly lacking in confidence were continually thwarting themselves at every opportunity, as even the normally reliable delivery of Luka Modric was all-too-often overhit.
The visitors had chances to cause problems for Krakow from set-pieces but Lennon's and Jenas' crossing was poor, at best.
However, the half ended in fortunate circumstances for Ramos' men as first Radoslaw Sobolewski was put clean through on goal - only for his weak effort to be denied by the feet of Gomes.
Then a scramble inside the six-yard box from the resulting corner eventually fell to Junior Diaz, but his shot lacked power and Spurs' goalkeeper was able to claim the loose ball.
The second half began at much the same pace as the first as both sides continued in cagey mode, packing the midfield and with few players committed forward.
But the match was brought to life shortly afterwards as finally Gareth Bale delivered a decent cross into the box and Arkadiusz Glowacki - under pressure from Fraizer Campbell - put the ball into his own net.
The goal seemed to galvanise Krakow, though, and they continued to look dangerous.
But in going forward looking for the two goals they would need to take the game to extra time, they began to leave gaping holes at the back.
It was from an unlikely source that Spurs nearly profited from this, as a bursting run from midfield by Didier Zokora saw the home side's defence open up but his shot curled just wide when Campbell was perhaps better placed for a pass.
Darren Bent then had a chance but sliced his shot just wide of the post as Krakow edged further up the pitch.
The English team survived a let-off ten minutes from the end when a Marek Zienczuk corner was headed goalwards by Brozek, but a combination of Bale and Gomes helped the ball onto the post and away.
However, Krakow levelled the game soon after when a through ball from Diaz caught the Spurs backline flat-footed and Brozek lobbed the onrushing Gomes to set up a nervous finish.
Spurs survived a few late scares after Brozek missed a golden chance from six yards - heading straight at Gomes after the goalkeeper could only parry a long-range effort.
A late penalty shout was then waved away by the referee and a shot from Marcelo went just over the bar as the away side just about clung on for the draw.