Some solace for Janas

Two-goal Polish defender Bartosz Bosacki (L) and Costa Rican forward Paulo Wanchope bid World Cup goodbye in different styles after their match in Hanover on Tuesday. PHOTO: AFP

Two goals from defender Bartosz Bosacki -- his first for his country -- gave Poland a comeback 2-1 victory over Costa Rica in their nothing-at-stake Group A encounter here on Tuesday.

Under-pressure Polish coach Pawel Janas said that he was happy the team was returning home having got one win under their belts.

"It would have been a pity to go home without any points or goals," said the 53-year-old, who was a member of the side that reached the 1982 World Cup semifinals.

Janas, who has been in charge since 2003, added he had not decided on his future as of yet, though, there have been many calls for him to resign as the Poles crashed out of the World Cup at the first hurdle for the second successive time.

"I have not thought about resigning and I am not going to take a decision right now," said Janas, who has fought a successful battle with cancer.

His Costa Rican counterpart Alexandre Guimaraes admitted that there was unlikely to be friendly crowds awaiting the squad when they returned home.

"I am not expecting a warm welcome on our return because our three results did not live up to expectations," said the 46-year-old, who almost got Costa Rica into the second round in 2002 only losing out in the group stage to eventual semi-finalists Turkey on goal difference.

However the Brazil-born but naturalised Costa Rican acknowledged that he may not last much longer in the job, which he inherited late on in the qualifying campaign.

"Now, I am going to take several days to analyse things and discuss matters with the federation president," said Guimaraes, who as a player reached the second round in 1990 with Costa Rica.

"We will work out the possibilities either to continue or not with my strategy at the end of the month."

Bosacki said that his goals came a little bit late in the tournament to save Poland but he was still happy with his achievement.

"I suppose it was a surprise that I (a defender) got the goals but I have been working hard on set pieces at training," said the 30-year-old, who got a late call-up to the squad.

"They came a little bit too late, I guess, but it did work out for us today."

All-time leading scorer Paulo Wanchope, who nabbed two goals in Costa Rica's 4-2 loss to Germany in the World Cup opener, lined up for his swansong international appearance.

The leggy, long-striding Wanchope had banged in 45 goals in 71 matches for Los Ticos but there was to be no victorious farewell for the former Manchester City star.

"It was an emotional day -- my last official game for the team," said the striker. "I made a decision and I am sticking by it. It is time for other players to come in and do things for the country. It is a pity I did not go out with a win."

Wanchope had the ball in the net in the 81st minute for what would have been a dream equaliser in his last game but he was correctly ruled offside.