Lechia Gdańsk coach Bogusław Kaczmarek was left fuming with his players following Pogoń Szczecin’s late equaliser at the PGE Arena – the second one-nil lead surrendered at the death in a row, following last week’s tie with Polonia Warszawa. Edi Andradina rescued a point for Pogoń from the penalty spot after Rafał Janicki saw red following a foul on the Brazilian striker – the home side’s second dismissal of the game.
“I they measured the stupidity if my team, it would be off the scale” Kaczmarek told journalists after the game.
“We regretfully lost four points in the first two rounds of Spring. After getting the first goal we lacked precision, calm and didn’t play to the finish” the 62 year-old went on to add.
However it was the Portowcy who were reduced to ten men first, after just thirteen minutes; goalkeeper Radosław Janukiewicz receiving his marching orders after chopping down Piotr Wiśniewski in the box after the striker had excellently controlled a ball over the too. Experienced defender Piotr Brożek slotted home the resulting penalty to give the home side the lead – one which they really should have taken advantage of.
Just ten minutes later, Marcin Pietrowski was picked out perfectly by Deleu’s cross, but his free header was sent sailing over the crossbar. Then on the stroke of half-time Pietrowski went close once more, but his shot from distance just edges past Dusan Pernis’ left-hand upright.
The hosts continued to pile on the pressure after the break; Ricardinho, looking to add to his five goals for the season, lost control of the bak after a mazy run took him through on goal.
But with a quarter of the game remaining, Pogoń were handed a lifeline as Lechia attacker Wiśniewski picked up two yellow cards in quick succession. With both sides equal once more, Pogoń began to attack.
Whilst it looked as though the home side were just about to survive the onslaught, Janicki bundled over Andradina in the fifth minute of stoppage time. After being behind and under attack for most of the game, Pogoń’s players celebrated the penalty decision, and the resulting point, as though they had won the game.
Despite being understandably on the back foot for most of the game, Pogoń boss Artur Skowronek was proud of his players’ improved performance after last week’s hammering in Lubin.
“This is a very valuable point for us in terms of mental being for the team. It may seem, looking at the match statistics that we were luck to get a draw, however my team showed that it has charisma”.
Lechia Gdańsk – Pogoń Szczecin 1:1 (1:0)
Brożek (17-penalty) – Andradina (90+3-penalty).
Lechia Gdańsk: Buchalik – Deleu, Janicki, Bieniuk, Brożek – Kacprzycki (57 Machaj), Surma, Pietrowski, Ricardinho (90 Łazaj) – Wiśniewski – Buzała (81 Rahoui).
Pogoń Szczecin: Janukiewicz – Hricko, Dąbrowski, Hernani, Noll – Golla (16 Pernis), Rogalski, Murayama, Akahoshi, Kolendowicz (28 Frączczak) – Djousse (73 Andradina).
Red Cards: Wiśniewski, Janicki (Lechia) – Janukiewicz (Pogoń).
Yellow Cards: Deleu, Janicki, Wiśniewski (Lechia) – Hernani, Noll, Hricko, Rogalski, Frączczak (Pogoń).
Referee: Tomasz Wajda (Żywiec)
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