Ireland secure away goal and draw against Bosnia

It is all to play for in the Aviva Stadium on Monday night in this Euro 2016 playoff, as Robbie Brady’s strike means that Ireland secured a draw and a got away goal going into the second leg.

His goal in the 82^nd minute was cancelled out three minutes later by Bosnia’s marquee player Edin Dzeko’s close ranged strike. At times the performance may not have been what the Irish would have wanted and the poor visibility at the Stadion Bilino Polje in  Zenica in the second half  strongly  impacted on proceedings , but overall the result will more than satisfy manager Martin O’Neil, as the dream of reaching  France in 2016 is very much alive.

Ireland would probably have taken a draw before the game though, especially with key players  such as John O’Shea and Jonathan Walters out through suspension. Given that people were saying that staying in  the tie was Ireland’s main objective, the defensive display was magnificent, with Richard Keogh putting in a determined display to keep the Bosnians quiet. 

That the game  finished at all was an achievement to some,  with the fog descending on the stadium during  the second  half. There was even talk at one  stage that the game would have to  been stopped and concluded on Saturday. But referee Felix Brych  played the game to its conclusion.

O’Neil chose to go as expected with Darren Randolph in goal, while the absence of John O’Shea meant there was a less experienced centre half pairing of Ciaran Clark  and Richard Keogh. The decision to play Robbie Brady in left midfield was hoped to get the best out of his talents, while Wes Hoolahan lined up behind forward Daryl  Murphy

Ireland  produced  a solid defensive display in the opening  half,  with Bosnia’s star  players failing to match the passion shown by the home support before the game.  It was Ireland’s sloppiness in  the opening stages that gave Bosnia their first chance,  but  Roma’s  Miralem Pjanic  failed to test Randolph in the 11^th minute.

Three minutes later, the hosts had the best chance of the half to go  ahead.  Zukanovic was unable to failed  to  head Pjanic’s cross into the net from close range.

Randolph was on hand to keep out an effort from Lulic  in the 32^nd minute, with the same player appealing for  a penalty moments later after an altercation for Seamus Coleman. The referee was not convinced however.

The half time break saw dense fog descend on  the stadium, but both teams and the match officials were satisfied enough to continue.  The conditions did little to help Bosnia in an attacking sense, with Visca being   their only threat going forward.

Ciaran Clark nearly knocked the ball into  his  own  net after 52 minutes, but thankfully Randolph  was on hand to avert the danger.

Ireland were looking to snatch a crucial away goal and Jeff Hendrick  probably should have done better, when he headed over from a Brady cross.

That goal would come with just eight minutes left, with Brady got  on the end of a long ball forward. He then beat Begovic at his near post with a driving effort, putting Ireland on the brink of a massive win.

But that  lead only last one hundred and eighty seconds, as their goal machine Dzeko punished some uncertainty in the Ireland defence to convert  a Vranjes cross from close range.

So all roads lead to  the  Aviva on Monday night, with an absolutely huge night in store for Irish soccer.

Bosnia: Asmir Begovic; Mensur Mujdza, Toni Sunjic, Emir Spahic , Ervin Zukanovic; Edin Visca (Milan Djuric,73), Miralem Pjanic,  Edin Cocalic, Senad Lulic(Izet Hajrovic, 88 ); Vedad Ibisevic, Edin Dzeko.

Subs Not Used:  Ibrahim Sehic(gk), Jasmin Buric, Ermin Bicakcic, Sead Kolasinac,  Haris Medunjanin, Tino- Sven Susic ,  Anel Hadzic,  Sejad Salihovic, Armin Hodzic .

Ireland: Darren Randolph; Seamus Coleman, Richard Keogh, Ciaran Clark, Stephan Ward(Marc Wilson, 66 );  Jeff Hendrick,  James McCarthy, Glenn Whelan, Robbie Brady(Aidan McGeady, 86 ); Wes Hoolahan(James McClean,  60); Daryl Murphy.

Subs not Used: David Forde(gk), Stephen Henderson(gk)  ,  Alex Pearce, Cyrus Christie   ,  Alan  Judge, Darron Gibson, Harry Arter,  Robbie Keane, Kevin  Doyle.

Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Richard Keogh(Ireland)