Hickersberger - Justice was done

Austria boss praises passion

Last updated: 12th June 2008

Hickersberger - Justice was done

Hickersberger: Chasing a quarter-final spot

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Austria manager Josef Hickersberger feels justice was done as his side rescued an injury time point against Poland in Group B.

Hickersberger's men fell behind against the run of play as Roger Guerreiro, who was debatably offside, scored in the 30th minute in Vienna.

However, the co-hosts kept their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals alive ahead of Monday's must-win meeting with Germany as 38-year-old Ivica Vastic netted an injury time penalty after Mariusz Lewandowski was harshly punished for shirt-pulling.

Hickersberger, though, believes his side deserved the share of the spoils after battling to the end at Ernst Happel.

"We had our chances in the first 20 to 30 minutes," said Hickersberger.

Strong

"Whether their goal was offside or whether (our goal) was a penalty, I couldn't judge from my position.

"The performance of the team was very good once again. They played with great passion. We saw what we already knew, that Poland have a very strong team.

"The Poles really had their backs to the wall in the first half and we should have been 2-0 up but we just didn't score.

"But the team reacted really well after falling 1-0 behind to a goal that was offside.

"The sport of football is not always about justice: when the referee decides on something, it is like he is God."