Poland back to winning ways

Poland beat New Zealand 2-0 in an international friendly on Wednesday.

Bullet shot
Defender Krzysztof Ratajczyk fired in a bullet shot from more than 25 metres in the 51st minute to give Poland, who suffered a shock home defeat against Latvia in a EURO 2004™ qualifier last Saturday, a hard-earned lead.

Kukielka goal
Shortly before the full-time whistle, Mariusz Kukielka confidently converted a Marcin Zewlakow cross to make it 2-0. Poland dominated for long periods but created few chances, as would befit an attack which had scored only one goal in four matches since a disappointing FIFA World Cup campaign in Korea/Japan.

Boniek comments
"We lacked the finishing touch. We easily won the game, but lacked calmness in front of our opponents' goal," said coach Zbigniew Boniek. Looking back to Saturday's defeat, he added: "The game with Latvia will stay in my stomach for years."

New Zealand hit crossbar
New Zealand had only two shots on goal, but nearly scored in stoppage time when Gavin Wilkinson's shot from just outside the penalty box hit the crossbar.