June 13, 2008

CROATIAN-born Austrian player of the year Ivica Vastic became the oldest scorer in Euro championships history as he converted an injury-time penalty to give the co-hosts a 1-1 draw with Poland and ironically send his Croatia compatriots into the Euro 2008 quarter-finals.

The 38-year-old - who also scored the last time Austria appeared in a major finals at the 1998 World Cup in France - slotted home to keep the hosts' hopes of making the quarter-finals alive , though they will have to beat Germany to do so.

The Poles, who were incredulous at English referee Howard Webb's decision, had earlier taken the lead through 26-year-old Brazilian-born striker Roger Guerreiro, who only became a naturalised Pole in March.

The Austrians started brightly with captain Andreas Ivanschitz - whose romantic life has featured largely in the papers of late - having two shots at goal, one sailing harmlessly wide while his 32-metre freekick didn't pose a problem for Polish keeper Artur Boruc.

However, Boruc had to be at his best in the 11th minute as a poor backpass by a Polish defender released Austria's Martin Harnik, who raced clear but his shot into the far corner was deflected by the Celtic keeper for a corner.

Boruc did even better two minutes later as Vmit Korkmaz put in a great pass into the penalty area but Harnik again had his shot saved by Boruc with his legs failing to add to his international haul of two goals.

The Polish guardian was again equal to the task a few minutes later as with the Poland defence in disarray Christoph Leitgeb ran onto a beautifully weighted pass but his shot was again saved by Boruc.

The Poles - looking nothing like a side that finished above Portugal in their qualifying group - took over 20 minutes to even force a corner and after repelling another Austrian attack they hit the co-hosts with a real sucker punch.

Marek Saganowski controlled the ball after a brilliant cross from Euzebiusz Smolarek inside the penalty area and managed to get his pass past the outstretched hand of Jurgen Macho and the boot of Austria's Middlesbrough defender Emmanuel Pogatetz, for Guerreiro to slot it into the net, though he looked to be offside.

The goal provoked a rueful smile from Austrian coach Josef Hickersberger and a shake of the head while his players heads went down.

Unsurprisingly, Poland's veteran Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker had seen enough of Mariusz Jop at centreback and took him off at half-time as he tried to shore up his defence.

The Austrians thought they should have had a penalty in the 48th minute as Ivanschitz went down in the box under a challenge from Pawel Golanski but Webb waved aside the Austrian captain's appeals and it clearly looked as if he had dived.

Poland had a bit of wind in their sails and the impressive Smolarek surged onto a great ball by Guerreiro turned the defender and forced a bit of a fumbled save from Macho.

Macho was more alert in saving his side from going two down just after the hour mark as he got down smartly and blocked Polish captain Jacek Bak's shot with his legs, and got up to beat away a follow up shot by Mariusz Lewandowski.

Hickersberger decided to ring the changes at that point and somewhat surprisingly took off Ivanschitz and Roland Linz and sent on 38-year-old veteran Vastic and Roman Kienaast.

However, it was the Poles who had the next effort on goal with a fierce freekick by Jacek Krzynowek, which was tipped over the bar brilliantly by Macho.

The Austrians rarely troubled the Polish defence or indeed the magisterial Boruc with just Sebastian Prodl - who is suspended for the next match with the Germans - getting anywhere near the target with a header 10 minutes from time that went past the post.

It took Vastic to break the Poles' hearts.

The 65-year-old Beenhakker stormed onto the pitch at the final whistle furious with English referee Howard Webb's decision.

“It (penalty) was totally unjustified,” Beenhakker said.

“What was happening in the penalty box as they prepared to take the freekick is nothing different to what has been going on for the past five years.

“And none of the other referees have whistled. Before the tournament we received a DVD with what was allowed and what wasn't. There was a chapter on divers and referees were to pay extra attention to that.

“I have never had a problem with a referee since the beginning of my career. I just can't understand."

Beenhakker admitted that he was extremely disappointed at losing out on the three points.

“Of course I am extremely disappointed. My lads went to sleep for the first 20 minutes (when Austria had three clear chances saved by Artur Boruc).

“But after that we scored (Roger Guerreiro in the 30th minute) and in the second-half we were better than the Austrians.”

Beenhakker admitted that qualifying for the last eight was now a distant hope.

“I really don't think we will qualify. For the moment, I think we are out of the tournament and that is painful. We know what we are capable of. We didn't need this.”

For Guerreiro it was a memorable moment as the Brazil-born 26-year-old scored his first goal for his adopted country, but the end left a sour taste in his mouth.

“I would have gladly exchanged the man of the match award for a win,” said Guerreiro, who only became a naturalised citizen in March.

“We lost two points this evening. But we are professionals and we will pick ourselves up from this.”

Beenhakker's Austrian counterpart Josef Hickersberger was delighted his side had shown at least in the opening 30 minutes that they could play stylish football and create chances, and admitted he was licking his lips in anticipation of Monday's match with Germany - where a win for the Austrians would see them eliminate the Germans, who were beaten 2-1 by Croatia earlier today.

However, he said it was pointless to look back to Austria's famous 3-2 victory over then world champions West Germany at the 1978 World Cup finals, a match he played in.

“Matches against Germany are still something special to me,” said Hickersberger, who is in his second spell as national coach.

“I spent some wonderful years in the Bundesliga. But what happened 30 years ago counts for nothing. That win in Cordoba belongs to the past.”