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Poland coach Beenhakker enraged by Webb 'blunder'

13/06/2008

Poland coach Leo Beenhakker has conceded his team have virtually been knocked out of Euro 2008 after a 'blunder' by English official Howard Webb.

The Premier League referee, who took charge of the Poles' 1-1 draw with Austria, awarded a controversial penalty to the competition co-hosts in injury time for shirt-pulling in the penalty area.

The spot-kick was converted by Ivica Vastic and ensured both sides retain a mathematical chance of qualifying for the knockout rounds alongside already-qualified Croatia.

But both Poland and Austria will have to rely on other results to go their way if either are to overhaul second-placed Germany in the standings.

And Beenhakker, who marched onto the field at the final whistle to confront Webb over his decision, said the last-gasp equaliser was "impossible to accept".

"If you lose a game because they score two and you don't, it's different and tough but you accept it," he said.

"But sometimes you don't get what you deserve. This hurts much more than the first match [a 3-1 defeat to the Germans]."

Beenhakker said he was "very satisfied" with his team's overall performance and laid the blame for the dropped points at the door of Webb, who he claimed was trying to put himself in the limelight.

"Maybe he wants to show he is a big boy and has the guts to do it, I don't know," the coach explained.

And of his team's predicament now, he added: "We don't have it in our own hands any more.

"The conclusion is we are out of the tournament."