adminPARIS. — A diminished Republic of Ireland hope to emerge from the first leg of their Euro 2016 soccer qualifying play-off away to Bosnia-Herzegovina tomorrow with their chances of reaching the finals still intact.
Martin O’Neill’s side go to Zenica before hosting the Bosnians in Dublin on Monday with a place in France next summer up for grabs, but with suspensions and injuries giving the Irish manager plenty to think about.
“Make no mistake about it, the games will be difficult, but you wouldn’t be expecting any sort of walkover in play-off games,” said O’Neill, who must do without the suspended Jonathan Walters and John O’Shea and injured goalkeeper Shay Given. Newcastle United goalkeeper Rob Elliot and Southampton striker Shane Long − scorer of the goal that secured a famous 1-0 win over Germany last month − are also fitness concerns.
However, O’Neill added: “The momentum swinging towards them doesn’t bother me, it genuinely doesn’t bother me. We have got ourselves into this position and we don’t want to throw it away lightly. “We have earned the right to be there, particularly with our results against the world champions, and we have accumulated the points. We are pleased to be here.” While Ireland finished third behind Germany and Poland in qualifying Group D, Bosnia came in behind Wales and Belgium in Group B.
Mehmed Bazdarevic’s squad features the likes of Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and Roma duo Miralem Pjanic and Edin Dzeko.
And along with that quality comes experience of these occasions, albeit the memories are not happy − Bosnia lost to Portugal in play-offs for the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. — AFP.
Online Reporter