World Cup

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World Cup | Qualifiers

Oct 15, 2013 at 8pm UK

England
2-0
Poland

Rooney (41'), Gerrard (88')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Jakub Blaszczykowski eyes Wembley win over England

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 14 October 2013

Poland skipper Jakub Blaszczykowski hopes to recreate history when his side face England tomorrow with a World Cup spot on the line for the Three Lions.

Poland captain Jakub Blaszczykowski has expressed his desire to send the 18,000 away fans home happy when his side face England at Wembley tomorrow.

The FA controversially allocated Poland twice the required number of tickets from tomorrow's crucial World Cup qualifier, and Blaszczykowski admitted that the news of so many Polish fans being able to attend gave him a boost.

The match is one that England must win if they are to guarantee qualification for next summer's World Cup in Brazil, but Blaszczykowski was more focused on his own side's disappointing qualifying campaign.

"Against Ireland, most of the fans were Poles and we expect the same tomorrow. I am happy to here about so many Poles coming to the match. We want to entertain them and get a very good result at Wembley. Hopefully we will play well enough to send them back home smiling," Blaszczykowski told PA.

"We are all very unhappy at not qualifying but that is how it is. We have not scored enough goals despite creating many chances, and have drawn too many matches, most after single mistakes."

Poland have a history of denying England a place in the World Cup, holding them to a draw in 1973 to ensure that the Three Lions didn't reach the 1974 tournament, which ultimately cost World Cup-winning coach Sir Alf Ramsey his job.

"That game in 1973 has a very important place in our history, people still talk about it now. It would be exciting to be part of history ourselves by get a good result tomorrow as well," Blaszczykowski added.

Poland's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup were ended by a 1-0 defeat to Ukraine on Friday, although they could still finish third in the group if they win tomorrow and Montenegro are beaten by Moldova.