World Cup

[monks data]

World Cup | Qualifiers

Oct 15, 2013 at 8pm UK

England
2-0
Poland

Rooney (41'), Gerrard (88')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Roy Hodgson: 'No fear of Polish support'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 14 October 2013

England boss Roy Hodgson insists that he has no qualms with Poland being allocated 18,000 tickets for tomorrow's match between the two nations.

England manager Roy Hodgson has insisted that he has "no fears" over the number of tickets that have been allocated to Polish supporters ahead of Tuesday's match between the two nations.

Poland fans have been sold 18,000 tickets for tomorrow's match, double the minimum amount that FIFA's rules dictate for visiting teams in a World Cup qualifier.

The volume of away fans in the ground has led some to claim that it could have a negative effect on England, who must win to guarantee a place in next year's World Cup, but Hodgson believes that his side have nothing to fear.

"I presume it will give [Poland] a lift, but there are a lot of Polish people living in this country and I understand the FA were virtually forced into this decision," Hodgson told PA.

"They had to let the Polish FA have the tickets because otherwise there would be safety problems with the infiltration of Polish fans amongst the England fans. Our players are pretty used to playing in games where the opponents have good support.

"We will have 65,000 or 70,000 fans there and that, vis-a-vis 20,000 [Poland fans] is a pretty good margin for us. If our fans get behind us like they have so far then I don't fear that."

If England fail to win tomorrow's match then they will likely be consigned to a playoff match for a place in next summer's tournament as second-placed Ukraine face San Marino in their final match.