Slovakia needed just a point on Saturday at home against Slovenia to advance. But it lost 2-0 and now needs an away victory in Chorzow to win Group 3.

"We have two days to get our act back together and we will celebrate qualification to the finals in Chorzow on Wednesday," Slovakia captain Robert Vittek said.

Slovakia leads the group with 19 points. Second-place Slovenia, which plays San Marino in its last qualifier, is two points behind.

Victory would secure Slovakia's first World Cup appearance since the republic was founded on Jan. 1, 1993. Before separating from what became the Czech Republic, Slovaks had helped Czechoslovakia win the European Championship in 1976 and reach the World Cup final twice, in 1934 and 1962.

Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss' greatest concern against Poland is his depleted defense. Regular starters Martin Skrtel, Jan Durica and Radoslav Zabavnik picked up yellow cards against Slovenia and must now sit out Wednesday's match. Midfielder Miroslav Stoch will also be out for the same reason.

Weiss has called on sweeper Lubomir Michalik, who plays for Leeds, to strengthen his team's patchwork defense.

Poland has only pride to play for after earning just one point from its last three qualifiers and falling to second from bottom of the group, despite having made a respectable start to their qualifying campaign.

The Polish federation fired coach Leo Beenhakker following a 3-0 loss to Slovenia last month, and replaced him with interim manager Stefan Majewski.

Majewski called up a young squad for the final two qualifiers, only to see his team be thoroughly outplayed in a 2-0 loss to the Czech Republic on Saturday in his first match at the helm.

"Before the start of qualification, we were the favorites along with the Czechs," Poland striker Ireneusz Jelen said. "Now the Slovenes and the Slovaks will likely go to the World Cup. They took advantage of our weakness, and its our weakness that hurts."

Despite its problems, Poland remains a tricky opponent for Slovakia.

Slovenia has a much easier task on Wednesday against winless San Marino _ a team that has yet to earn a point in nine qualifying matches and has been outscored 44-1.

Still, Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek cautioned his players against celebrating a victory too soon.

"In today's football, one never knows," he said.

A Slovenia win, combined with a Slovakia draw against Poland, would put Slovenia through on goal difference.

The Czech Republic is currently third in the group with 15 points and only has a mathematical chance of earning a playoff berth if it beats Northern Ireland in Prague on Wednesday and Slovenia draws or loses to San Marino.

Since becoming a member of FIFA in 1988, San Marino has never won a match. It has lost all of its World Cup qualifying matches, except for two.

"The chances for qualifying are beyond the team's control, but as long as the chance is there, we have to go for it no matter how unrealistic it may seem," Czech coach Ivan Hasek said.

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Associated Press writers Ondrej Hejman in Prague, and Ali Zerdin in Ljubljana, Slovenia contributed to this report.