 Warsaw: Poland manager Franciszek Smuda insisted he is still confident his side will progress in Euro 2012, following their 1-1 draw with Greece.
The co-hosts dominated the first half, taking the lead through Robert Lewandowski inside 20 minutes and seeing opposition defender Sokratis Papadopoulos sent off for a second bookable offence before half-time.
However, Dimitris Salpingidis equalised for the visitors after the restart and Poland were lucky to salvage a point after goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was sent off in conceding a penalty, which Przemyslaw Tyton went on to save.
"We are not at a disadvantage," Smuda told reporters.
"I believe in this team, and know that against Russia they will play a good game.
"We have two meetings left and we have to win them. I think that the first meeting usually ends in a draw."
He went on to acknowledge that his players face a weight of expectation from the home crowd, admitting: "For sure the players were under pressure.
"Before the match, during the break, I saw their aggression. Perhaps some are burned.”
When asked about back-up goalkeeper Tyton, who saved Greece captain Giorgos Karagounis’ penalty with his first touch of the game, he simply replied: "Tyton came to the goal without a warm-up, and saved a penalty."
Goal.com
First Published: Saturday, June 9, 2012, 10:01
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