Poland's players have said that the sending-off of Wisla Krakow midfielder Radoslaw Sobolewski 15 minutes from time was totally over the top and that it gave the German’s an unfair advantage in their injury-time 1-0 victory in Munich on Wednesday.

“I certainly don't think it deserved a second yellow," Celtic keeper Artur Boruc - who made several crucial saves which kept the 10-men of Poland in the match - said to reporters after the match.

“It also looked like the German player deliberately left his foot in. That [sending-off] was probably decisive although even then we thought we could hold out.”

Midfielder Radoslaw Sobolewski was sent-off for a foul on Miroslav Klose, but appeared to be pulling out of the challenge as the German striker ran across his path in the 75th minute.

The loss has left Poland clinging to the hope that Costa Rica will manage to beat Ecuador in their match on Thursday, which would still give Poland a very slim chance of qualifying from Group A.

“The annoying thing is even after the red card we had managed to hold them,” said Olympiakos left back Michal Zewlakow.

“We were just two minutes short of getting a point. Now our chances are marginal.

“The sending-off came at a moment when the players were very tired. You would expect the referee to be aware of that and it was clear Radoslaw tried to pull out,” continued Zewlakow.

“For sure if the referee had only given a foul, he wouldn't have done anything wrong. But of course we were playing with the Germans, the hosts, at a crucial moment in a tight game. That's how it goes.”

Several Poles also said that German defender Christoph Metzelder was lucky to escape with just a booking after hacking down Euzebiusz Smolarek as he raced clear on the right-wing five minutes before the sending-off for Sobolewski.

“If the referee had applied the same logic, he would have sent Metzelder off,” said Wisla Krakow defender Bartosz Bosacki.

"There's always a chance of qualifying but you've got to say our hopes now are illusory."

Poland head coach Pawel Janas said the late goal had all but knocked his side out of the World Cup at the first stage for the second time running.

"The goal at the very end has ruined our chances. I feel awful," said the distraught Janas.

"In the final minute we made mistakes by leaving the midfield empty and our defence had no chance."

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