Edin Dzeko’s 85th-minute strike saved Bosnia-Herzegovina from a shock home defeat to the Republic of Ireland in their Euro 2016 playoff in Zenica’s fog-covered Bilino Polje Stadium.
Robbie Brady gave the visitors a shock lead on 82 minutes — a goal that was seen by few as the weather conditions reached a farcical stage in the second half — giving coach Martin O’Neill the away goal he so craved.
The Republic of defended well as a unit on the night, but could not hold out to the final whistle, with substitute Ognjen Vranjes delivering a fine assist to AS Roma hitman Dzeko, who scored his 45th international goal.
Photo: Reuters
Injuries and suspension hampered the visitors, with Shay Given, John O’Shea, Jon Walters, Shane Long and David Meyler absent, but O’Neill refused to focus on the absentees.
An inexperienced defense was built around West Ham United’s Darren Randolph in goal, Derby County’s Richard Keogh and Aston Villa’s Ciaran Clark in central defense, and Burnley’s Stephen Ward at left-back, while Ipswich Town’s Daryl Murphy started up front with Norwich City’s Wes Hoolahan tucked in behind.
Bosnia coach Mehmed Bazdarevic was without suspended Everton midfielder Muhamed Besic, but made just two changes to the side that won 3-2 in Cyprus in their final qualifier, with Mechelen’s central defender Edin Cocalic starting in midfield, while Dzeko took his place up front.
O’Neill had highlighted the importance of an away goal in the build up to this game, something that might have influenced Bosnia’s defensively-minded lineup that had surprised the locals.
However, after a scrappy first half, there was almost no sign of a goal threat from the visitors — and equally little to trouble their own goal.
Edin Visca enjoyed the better of his right-wing scrap with Robbie Brady, and delivered some tasty crosses, the first of which Miralem Pjanic fired wildly over the bar.
The Basaksehir winger got the better of Brady once more midway through the half, whipping in a cross Ibisevic volleyed around the near post, and his threat saw Ward earn a yellow card a minute later after pulling the flyer back after he had nutmegged Whelan on the wing.
The chance of the half fell to fullback Ervin Zukanoivc, who really should have done better with a header when he found himself in space inside the area.
O’Neill had little to cheer apart from the performance of his makeshift defensive line, with Seamus Coleman, Keogh and Clark performing well, but Ward at left-back was a constant weak point for the visitors.
A heavy fog descended on the stadium during the break, causing serious visibility issues, with one side of the pitch only barely visible from the other.
As visibility continue to worsen, Randolph popped up with a vital save when he blocked Lulic’s shot after the winger pounced on a misplaced clearance.
Dzeko drew a foul from the ever eager James McClean, who had replaced Hoolahan on the hour, but set-piece specialist Pjanic failed to work his magic.
Then, to an almost eerie silence, Brady broke the deadlock. He cut inside Zukanovic, striking low and early past Begovic’s near post to stun the hosts.
However, the lead lasted just two minutes, before Vranjes once more exploited the Republic of Ireland’s weak left-back position, nipping behind McClean and squaring for Dzeko to sidefoot home and leave tomorrow’s game in Dublin finely poised.
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