World Cup Round-Up: Zurawski-inspired Poles survive Austrian revival

When they led 2-0 at half-time, Poland appeared to be coasting until the subtitute Roland Linz pulled a goal back in the 61st minute. Then after Celtic's Maciej Zurawski followed up his own blocked penalty to make it 3-1 in the 68th, Linz scored again to prompt a grandstand finish during which both sides fired against the woodwork.

Ukraine became the first European side to qualify for the finals when they won Group Two after Turkey failed to beat Denmark, who forced a 2-2 draw in Istanbul thanks to a last-minute equaliser from close range by the substitute Soren Larsen. Ukraine could have secured a place in their first major finals earlier in the day when they led Georgia in Tbilisi until Georgi Gakhokidze equalised with a minuite to go. Ukraine could be caught by Greece but would finish above them because of their head-to-head record.

Germany, who qualify automatically as hosts, continue to stutter in their preparations. Their defence again let them down when Miroslav Karhan, who plays in the Bundesliga with VfL Wolfsburg, scored both goals as Slovakia beat them 2-0 in Bratislava. Karhan converted a penalty in the 20th minute and then chipped over Arsenal's goalkeeper Jens Lehmann after 38 minutes.

Israel's Adoram Keisi headed a 20th-minute equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Group Four leaders Switzerland in Basle that kept alive his side's hopes of reaching the finals. Switzerland's Alex Frei had scored after five minutes from a cross by Tranquillo Barnetta. The result helped the Republic of Ireland's campaign, leaving them level on points with the Swiss and France.

Ruud van Nistelrooy scored his 23rd international goal to guide Holland to a 1-0 win over Armenia in Yerevan in their Group One match. The Dutch brought Arsenal's Robin van Persie into the team in place of the injured Chelsea winger Arjen Robben.

Making Mark Viduka captain looked like a wise decision yesterday when, in his first game as leader of the Socceroos, the Middlesbrough striker scored twice as Australia thrashed the Solomon Islands 7-0. In African qualifying, Liverpool's Mohammed Sissoko scored one of Mali's goals in a 2-0 victory over Congo, and El-Hadji Diouf, who has recently made his move from Liverpool to Bolton permanent, scored the only goal of Senegal's victory in Zambia, which kept alive their hopes of reaching the finals.