Football: Poland ties with Kazakhstan

The Polish team was leading 2:0 by the end of the first half, following a goal by Bartosz Kapustka in the ninth minute and a 35th-minute penalty by team, captain Robert Lewandowski.

However, Kazakhstan, which was playing on home turf managed to scored two goals in the second half, tying the game.

Points lost

At a press conference following the game, Lewandowski said that by the half time, the Polish team, which was by them leading by two goals, were “overly confident”.

“It is a pity to lose points,” Lewandowski said.

“We had everything under control. We scored two goals, we hit the crossbar twice, and our opponents had no clear position. Then the second half started and everything changed. The Kazakhs closed us in and we panicked. We lost two goals and tried to recover, but we didn’t manage,” he added.

“This was a bucket of cold water, but one which will come in handy,” said Polish coach Adam Nawałka.

Poland and Kazakhstan now both have one point each in the Group E qualifying round. Denmark leads the Group with three points.

Poland will play the second game in the qualifying round on 8 October against Denmark in Warsaw.

The first game of the 2018 World Cup will be held in Russia on 14 June 2018. (rg)