Poland is coming into the 2018 world cup after 12 years of absence. After striving to qualify for the world cup for many years, Poland confirmed their travel to Moscow after their unprecedented 4-2 home triumph against Montenegro. Moreover, Poland made history as the only team in European qualifiers to top a group despite having conceded 14 goals.
Throughout the qualifying matches, the team ensured that their dreams materialize by holding onto an early lead. This technique saw them win several matches but would not be fruitful against Denmark who thrashed them 4-0. In fact, this loss became the worst defeat of Poland in the whole qualifying campaign and in the last 15 years of competitive fixtures.
The team has displayed a lot of commitment to becoming better contenders in Russia. This follows beating fellow competitors, South Korea in a warm-up friendly match. However, that victory came after a 1-0 loss to West Africa football giants, The Super Eagles. Poland will play two more international friendly matches against Chile and Lithuania before their world cup fixtures.
Poland will start their group matches against Senegal, another African football giant. This should be worrying to The White and Reds after losing to Nigeria last month.
Key Players
Bayern Munich’s best striker and Poland’s captain Robert Lewandowski is at his peak and this may continue in Russia. He portrayed his world-class striker ability by netting 16 goals in the qualifiers.
Belgium-based Lukasz Teodorczyk who is currently doing great in Anderlecht will be combining efforts with Lewandoski.
Napoli’s finest Piotr Zielinski may be deployed in the midfield alongside Wolfsburg’s Jakub Blaszczykowski and PSG’s Grzegorz Krychowiak
Interestingly, the Poland side will enjoy the services of Swansea’s Lukasz Fabianski, Roma’s Lukasz Skorupski and Juve’s Wojciech Szczesny between the goal posts.
History of Poland at the World Cup
Poland has featured in the world cup 7 times. The last appearance was in 2006 but the team was unfortunately forced out of the competition at the group stages.
In 1974 and 1928, the team was lucky to get to the semi-finals.
Final comments
The team head coach, Adam Nawalka who happens to be a former Poland international believes that his team is more than ready for the competition in Russia.
According to Adam, every game in the group stage will be important. Nonetheless, the vital game will be their clash against Colombia. This game will determine who may advance to the round of 16. Group H contains some of the world’s finest teams thus it is evident that Poland will have an uphill task!
