Late penalty earns Austria crucial point against Poland
Thursday, 12 Jun 2008 22:07
Artur Boruc made a number of fine saves for Poland
An injury time penalty has kept co-hosts Austria in Euro 2008 as they earned a 1-1 draw against Poland in Group B.
Austria trailed for much of the game as Poland took an early lead through Brazilian born striker Roger Guerreiro. But in the 92nd minute English referee Howard Webb decided to give Austria a penalty which Ivica Vastic converted.
A point was the least Austria deserved as they were much the better side and had a hatful of excellent first-half chances which should have seen them put the game well beyond Poland.
Martin Harnik had the first good chance for Austria as he outpaced a static Polish defence and had a clear run on goal, but with only Artur Boruc to beat he pushed his shot wide.
Celtic goalkeeper Boruc then made two fine saves to deny Austria. He first saved with his legs from Harnik who miss-hit his shot from only six yards out. The impressive Poland keeper then made another fine save from Christoph Leitgeb, who was clean on goal.
Austria then suffered the ultimate sucker-punch when Poland went up the other end in one of their few attacks and managed to score. Marek Saganowski cut inside in the Austria penalty area and his attempted shot fell to Guerreiro who couldn't miss from a couple of yards out.
Guerreiro might have given Poland the lead but Austria would have felt hard done by as the striker looked to be in an offside position when he scored.
Austria seemed to be completely deflated from the goal and Poland came more into the game and were the better side in the second-half.
As Poland looked to be on course for a crucial three points, Marcin Wasilewski was penalised for bringing down Sebastian Prodl in the penalty area. The 38-year-old Vastic stepped up and smashed the penalty home to send the Austrian fans into a frenzy.