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This is an archive article published on June 20, 2006

Last chance, and pride at stake

Poland coach Pawel Janas must gamble on whether to save his own career or help kick-start a new era in Polish football, which may not include him, when his country plays Costa Rica in their final group match on Tuesday.

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Poland coach Pawel Janas must gamble on whether to save his own career or help kick-start a new era in Polish football, which may not include him, when his country plays Costa Rica in their final group match on Tuesday.

The Poles, like their opponents from Central America, are facing the possibility of finishing bottom of Group A and heading home with no points in the bag. Such a result for Poland would almost certainly seal Janas’s fate.

With their team already knocked out of the World Cup, many coaches would field a second-string team to give some players the chance to play at the finals or to blood future talent.

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But, on past evidence, the Polish coach is unlikely to do that and will be going all out to finish the finals on a high in what could be his last game in charge.

“There are a number of variations being tried in training,” Poland striker, Maciej Zurawski said. “The coach has 23 players to choose from. For the moment, even we don’t know who he will choose.”

Tuesday’s game could also spell the end of Alexandre Guimaraes tenure as Costa Rica coach after leading them to a second successive finals and will definitely be captain Paulo Wanchope’s swansong.

From a team perspective, it has been a disappointing time for the Ticos in Germany, but on a personal level Wanchope will have enjoyed his two goals against the hosts in the tournament’s opening game. Darren Ennis

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