Chorwacja - Polska [R] Opinions

[Sopot26]

Reprezentacja Polski w pierwszym meczu w 2003 roku bezbramkowo zremisowa³a z Chorwacj¹. Kadra oparta na pi³karzach graj¹cych w ligach zagranicznych i w Wiœle Kraków wprawdzie nie zachwyci³a swoj¹ gr¹, ale i nie zawiod³a oczekiwañ selekcjonera Paw³a Janasa, który by³ zadowolony z postawy swoich podopiecznych i z tego, ¿e... nie rozpocz¹³ swojej przygody z kadr¹ od pora¿ki.

Chorwacja - Polska 0:0

¯ó³te kartki: Tomas - G³owacki

Sêdziowa³: Franz-Xaver Wack (Niemcy)

Chorwacja: Stipe Pletikosa - Stjepan Tomas, Igor Tudor (64. Jerko Leko), Boris ¯ivkoviæ (46. Anthony Seriæ), Marko Babiæ (46. Dario Simiæ), Robert Kovac, Giovanni Rosso (85. Miljenko Mumlek), Josip Simuniæ, Darijo Srna (46. Ivica Mornar), Tomislav Mariæ (71. Marij Mariæ), Ivica Oliæ

Polska: Jerzy Dudek - Marcin Baszczyñski, Arkadiusz G³owacki, Jacek B¹k, Maciej Stolarczyk, Bartosz Karwan (56. Roman D¹browski), Piotr Œwierczewski, Rados³aw Ka³u¿ny (70. Arkadiusz Radomski), Kamil Kosowski, Maciej ¯urawski (78. Tomasz Dawidowski), Emmanuel Olisadebe.

[Sopot26]

From UEFA.com

Croatia 0-0 Poland
Difficult conditions undermined Croatia and Poland’s preparations for the remainder of their respective UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying campaigns after a goalless draw in Split in a friendly international.

Tricky conditions
In high winds which made passing extremely difficult, both sides tried to play attacking football but neither team were able to make the breakthrough despite creating several good chances. The clearest opportunity fell to Croatian midfield player Jerko Leko in the 69th minute, but his 20-metre shot came back off the crossbar. Croatia had marginally the better chances, but Poland defended resolutely and succeeded in keeping their opponents at bay.

Important saves
Poland's Nigerian-born striker Emmanuel Olisadebe went close after 15 and 56 minutes but he was denied by Croatian goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa on each occasion. Croatia coach Otto Baric fielded a strong lineup, including most of his top players from around Europe in contrast to Sunday’s 2-2 draw with F.Y.R. Macedonia.

Future games
"We were the better side but it was difficult to play and score in such unfavourable weather conditions. I think we have a team for the match against Belgium," Baric said. Croatia lie fourth in Group 8 with one point from two games, and are next at home to Belgium on 29 March. Poland play at home to Hungary on the same day, and are third in Group 4 at the moment with three points from two matches.