Boniek - World Cup advance would be 'a surprise'

Polish national side: photo - wikipedia

“I'm not going to use propaganda about possible success, as I'd prefer to say how things really are,” said Zbigniew Boniek in an interview with the Przeglad Sportowy daily, following last week's 2-0 defeat against Ireland in a friendly.

“That's why I repeat: our advance to the World Cup in Brazil is possible but it would be a very pleasant surprise for me,” he stressed.

Boniek noted star striker Robert Lewandowski's failure to score a goal for Poland in eight months, in spite of his successes for his German club side Borussia Dortmund.

“Robert is alone at the front,” Boniek said, arguing that the striker is not getting sufficient support from team mates.

“If he doesn't make use of his first or second opportunity [to score], then there won't be any more,” he said.

Under new coach Waldemar Fornalik, Poland has managed four wins, two draws and three defeats.

However, all of those wins have been against lower ranked sides, and three were in friendlies (against South Africa, Macedonia and Romania).

Poland is currently in third position in its Group H qualifying group for the World Cup, behind Montenegro and England.

On 22 March, Poland will play Ukraine at home in the next qualifying fixture. Ukraine is currently in fifth position in the group. (nh)