Poland take the lead in Group 7
Saturday, October 12, 2013
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Poland 2-0 Sweden
Goals from Dominik Furman and Michał Żyro earned Poland their third win in four games and sent Marcin Dorna's side top of Group 7.
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Poland avenged a 3-1 loss to Sweden last month by winning the reverse fixture in Krakow, Marcin Dorna's team's third victory in four games sending them to the top of UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 7.
That setback in Malmo on 6 September is the only blemish on the section leaders' record at the halfway point of their 2013–15 campaign. A repeat result never appeared likely as the hosts dominated the first period, scoring twice in nine minutes before the break through captain Dominik Furman and Michał Żyro.
Poland would have struck earlier than they did had visiting goalkeeper Patrik Carlgren not denied Arkadiusz Milik in a one-on-one situation. The breakthrough, though, arrived just after the half-hour mark when Furman delivered a free-kick which evaded everyone on its way into the net.
Żyro doubled the advantage with half-time approaching, giving Carlgren no chance with a fine effort from outside of the penalty area. Carlgren's opposite number, Jakub Szumski, excelled with a double save 12 minutes from time, keeping out substitute Robin Quaison's shot and then reacting quickly to deny Mikael Ishak what seemed a certain goal.
Poland are two points clear of second-placed Turkey, who they play in Antalya on Tuesday. Sweden's next fixture is in Greece on 15 November. "We are happy with three points and the result," said Dorna. "We lost four weeks ago in Sweden, so this win is very important for us."