Poland win but USA squeeze through - match report

Brad Friedel saved another penalty as the USA forced their way into the last 16 despite losing 3-1 to Poland.

Poland coach Jerzy Engel left Jerzy Dudek on the bench along with a clutch of regulars and gave half a dozen more who hadn't figured so far a last-ditch crack at the World Cup.

But there was uproar in the third minute when Jacek Krzynowek's corner was not cleared properly and Emmanuel Olisadebe hammered the ball into the roof of the net.

A minute later USA were fuming when they were denied an equaliser. Landon Donovan headed home after Maciej Zurawski got in the way of his own goalkeeper, the ball dropping into the six-yard box for the American to nod home - but the Chinese referee Lu Jun saw a push.

USA's anger was compounded with a second Polish goal a minute later, Krzynowek crossing and Pawel Kryszalowicz firing home on the near post.

The loss of Jeff Agoos with an ankle injury allowed Bruce Arena to throw on the more attack-minded Cobi Jones on 35 minutes, the States hammering away in search of any sort of salvation.

Friedel made a good save at the feet of Cezary Kucharski seconds after Marek Kozminski had been booked for diving in the box.

On 57 minutes the States threw on more fresh strike power, with Joe-Max Moore taking over from Brian McBride up front.

The US were still pouring forward, increasingly likely to be caught on the break.

They were eventually caught out and the game finally put beyond them on 65 minutes when substitute Marcin Zewlakow headed home a cross from Kozminski.

But within seconds news of Korea's goal against Portugal reached the red masses in Daejeon, and the States were still alive in the tournament.

Friedel underlined that with his second penalty save of the tournament when he plunged to his left to hold a spot-kick from Zurawski after Tony Sanneh had tripped Kryszalowicz on 76 minutes.

The States still kept attacking and Clint Mathis hit a post before they got the goal they deserved on 83 minutes when Donovan volleyed home.

There was still time for Olisadebe to be booked for taking far too long to be substituted.