Mexico, Poland battle for qualification spot

MEXICO and Poland kick-start their World Cup campaign tomorrow morning (12.01am Malaysian time) knowing the outcome of the clash could decide who survives beyond the group stage of the 2022 tournament.

Group favourites Argentina take on unlikely contenders Saudi Arabia in the earlier duel, and barring a major upset in that match the second spot in the final group rankings is likely to go to either Mexico or Poland.

Mexico’s strong record of being unbeaten in their World Cup openers is a statistic any team could fear. They won five and drew one in the most recent six tournaments, always making it to the knockout stage.

The last time Mexico failed to find their way past the group stage was back in 1978 – when they earned zero points in the group Poland topped.

This, however, is where the pros seem to end for Mexico this time round.

Coach Gerardo Martino’s side is short in the striker department as, to the bafflement of Mexico’s fans, the Argentine decided to leave out their alltime top scorer Javier Hernandez despite his good form this season.

Further dampening the mood, Mexico lost their last pre-World Cup friendly against Sweden, conceding a late goal and heading to Qatar one day later.

Sweden was the last side Poland beat on their way to seal their spot in the World Cup finals when they grabbed a 2-0 victory in the March playoff.

That was coach Czeslaw

Michniewicz first game in charge, and

since then, the atmosphere around the team has been that of expect nothing and appreciate everything.

“Indeed, this is something new for me,” said former Poland U-21 manager who previously had no international experience with any senior squad.

“For now I am calm, I don’t feel any pressure. I’m happy that all the players are healthy. I know who I have at my disposal and the most difficult decision, the selection, is behind me. (Now let’s) work according to the plan.”

If Poland survives the group stage it will be the first time since 1986, and they failed to qualify for the finals more times than they qualified during the intervening years.

But Poland possess something Mexico do not - a world class striker. Robert Lewandowski has said it may or may not be his last World Cup, but has approached it as if it is, and will want to make sure this is one to remember.

The 34-year-old Barcelona forward is Poland’s captain and record scorer with 76 goals in 134 appearances, but yet to make his mark on the biggest stage of all.

His country failed to qualify for the 2010 and 2014 tournaments and only managed two goals as they finished bottom of their group in Russia four years ago.

“I think about the last World Cup for sure,” said Lewandowski in an interview with Guillem Balague for BBC Radio 5 Live.

“To score at a World Cup would be a huge dream and I’m going to do everything for this dream. I hope in this World Cup it will happen.” – Reuters