Leo dumps Soca Warriors

Taken from our S P O R T section."

WARSAW: Leo Beenhakker will become the first foreigner to coach Poland’s national footbal team after their dismal showing at the World Cup.

The 63-year-old Dutchman, who took Trinidad and Tobago to their first World Cup this year, replaces Pawel Janas as of Wednesday, Poland’s football federation said.

“I think the time has come for a foreign coach in Poland, and one of the highest level,” federation president Michal Listkiewicz said.

“I believe that Beenhakker will introduce a new quality to Polish football and lead our team to their first ever European Championship.”

Dariusz Dziekanowski, a 43-year-old former Poland international and Celtic striker, will be Beenhakker’s top assistant, the federation said.

Beenhakker’s contract runs through to the end of Euro 2008 in Switzerland and Austria.

“I can assure you that when we start the qualifying matches, first against Finland, then Serbia, we will be ready,” Beenhakker said yesterday.

Poland didn’t advance past the group stage at this year’s World Cup after losing their first two matches to Ecuador and Germany, before beating Costa Rica in a meaningless match.

Beenhakker has coached at the highest level of European club football in a career spanning more than 30 years.

He won three Spanish league titles with Real Madrid from 1987-89 and two Dutch league titles with Ajax in 1980 and 1990.

Beenhakker has also coached Real Zaragoza, Feyenoord, Vitesse Arnhem, Club America and the Dutch and Saudi Arabian national sides.

Last year, Beenhakker led the Trinidad and Tobago team from

last place in their CONCACAF qualifying group to become the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup.

The Soca Warriors shocked Sweden by drawing 0-0 in their opener in Germany, and then held England scoreless until the 83rd minute of a 2-0 loss.

Trinidad and Tobago lost 2-0 to Paraguay in their last match. (AP)