Hanover: Poland coach Pawel Janas said the players had responded well to his tactics as they finally picked up points with a 2-1 win over Costa Rica in Group A on Tuesday.
"We were criticised because we couldn't score through set pieces but today we did," said Janas, whose team heads home this week after losing to Ecuador and Germany.
"I'm very happy. The team held out very well in the heat today and I'm glad that they executed my tactics."
Ronald Gomez put Costa Rica in front in the 24th minute but Poland defender Bartosz Bosacki scored twice from corners by Maciej Zurawski and Jacek Krzynowek either side of halftime.
Asked about Bosacki being deservedly named Man of the Match, Janas said: "It's a surprise for me. I expected it to be a striker or midfield player but it was a defender."
"I'm very grateful to him that he scored two goals."
The Poles paid tribute to one of the World Cup's biggest supports, whose red and white colours and loud singing dominated a 43,000 sell-out crowd in Hanover.
"I'm very glad we gave them something to go home with," Marcin Baszczynski said.
"When I walked out on the pitch it was like the whole world was with me. The finals haven't come off for us, but it was mostly about bad breaks in the first game - I think every game between us and Ecuador would have a different result."
Costa Rica coach Alexandre Guimaraes, who said he would be discussing his future later this month, blamed a lack of concentration for the defeat.
"We had a bit of a lack of concentration on dead ball situations and that's where the goals were scored. Poland waited patiently for their opportunities but they didn't have many."
Captain Luis Marin added: "We tried. We had enough chances. It's disappointing to leave without a win."
Germany finished top of Group A with a maximum nine points after beating Ecuador 3-0 in Tuesday's other game, with the South Americans on six points ahead of Poland on three.
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