Doha: Poland will mark their ninth appearance at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar with hopes of overcoming their recent poor results.
The team, which claimed bronze twice in 1974 and 1982, suffered early exits in the past three editions.
Drawn in a tough group along with Argentina, Mexico and Saudi Arabia, Robert Lewandowski’s mates need to struggle to secure a last-16 spot.
The early elimination at Russia 2018 will definitely put coach Czeslaw Michniewicz under pressure to restore Poland to their former glory.
To do so, Michniewicz will rely mainly on veteran Barcelona striker Lewandowski along with Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski and Aston Villa duo Jan Bednarek and Matthew Cash.
Poland debut in Qatar against Mexico on November 22 at 974 Stadium, then against Saudi Arabia on November 26 at Education City Stadium and Argentina on November 30 at 974 Stadium.
During the tournament, Poland will stay at Ezdan Qatar Hotel and will train at the Al Kharaitiyat SC Stadium.
Poland’s journey to Qatar 2022 was challenging. After finishing second in World Cup qualifiers group with 20 points behind England, they brushed aside Sweden in their play-off final.
Lewandowski’s mates managed to overcome the impacts of Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa’s resignation three months prior the play-off. Under Michniewicz, they secured a 2-0 win that took them to Qatar.
Poland’s World Cup debut was in France 1938 when they were eliminated by Brazil after losing 5-6. After 36 years, they achieved their best world cup results ever when they came third in 1974 after defeating England, the 1966 world champions.
In Spain 1982, they secured the bronze medal for the second time.
Poland’s previous appearances in World Cup were in editions of 1938, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 2002, 2006 and 2018. They featured in a total of 34 matches, 16 wins, five draws and 13 losses, with a goal difference of -1.
At the continental level, Poland featured in three UEFA championships in 2008, 2012 and 2016, with their quarterfinals appearance in the 2016 championship as the best result ever.
Over their UEFA championship appearance, Poland played a total of 11 games- two wins, six draws and three defeats, with a goal difference of -2.
The 1970s and 1980s were the best for Poland with two World Cup bronze medals in 1974 and 1982. They also claimed gold in the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich.
Throughout their football history, Poland gave the world a generation of outstanding players, most notably Wladyslaw Zmuda, who featured in 21 games in four consecutive World Cup finals (1974, 1978, 1982 and 1986). Grzegorz Lato who was the 1974 World Cup leading scorer is another amazing Polish striker who scored 10 goals for Poland in World Cup finals.
Also among iconic Polish players are Michal Zewlakow with 102 international caps, the second all-time highest goal scorer Wlodzimierz Lubanski with 48 goals, and Poland’s all-time leading scorer Robert Lewandowski with 51 goals.
Source: QNA
