Soccer

Mehmed Bazdarevic wary of ‘aggressive, fast’ Ireland

‘Against Ireland we’re going to have a difficult fight, especially in the first game’

Mehmed Bazdarevic hopes his team will continue the strong form shown over the last two months. Photograph: Getty Images
Mehmed Bazdarevic hopes his team will continue the strong form shown over the last two months. Photograph: Getty Images
Tue Nov 03 2015 - 18:43

Bosnia and Herzegovina manager Mehmed Bazdarevic is confident that his team will replicate the character shown in turning their pool around by beating Ireland in the forthcoming Euro 2016 play-off.

His team had a slow start to the campaign with defeats to both Cyprus and Israel - before turning things around particularly with three wins in their final three games. They eventually secured a third place finish, with 17 points from their 10 games.

Bazdarevic says he expects Ireland to play a high intensity game - one which his players will need to match.

“Against Ireland we’re going to have a difficult fight, especially in the first game. I don’t think too much about the fact that they are missing some of their players, because, regardless of that, they’re going to be highly motivated and they have some other dangerous players,” he said on Tuesday.

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“I am happy that our players are in better form recently. The situation is much better now than on the last gathering when we were missing few important players. We all know that Ireland is a quality team and that they play aggressive and fast football. It’s important for us to get ready and to welcome this game with huge enthusiasm.”

Included in his 28-man squad for the November 13th and November 16th ties is Everton's fit again Muhamed Besic, despite the 23-year-old being suspended for the first leg of the tie in Zenica.

“We are in the situation where we can decide our own fate, and our boys have shown character to get back after a bad start to the campaign,” added an upbeat Bosnia and Herzegovina manager.

Bosnia squad: Asmir Begovic (Chelsea), Ibrahim Sehic (Qarabag), Jasmin Buric (Lech), Mensur Mujdza (Freiburg), Emir Spahic (HSV), Toni Sunjic (Stuttgart), Ermin Bicakcic (Hoffenheim), Ognjen Vranjes (Gaziantepspor), Sead Kolasinac (Schalke), Edin Cocalic (Mechelen), Ervin Zukanovic (Sampdoria), Marin Anicic (Astana), Muhamed Besic (Everton), Miralem Pjanic (Roma), Srdan Grahovac (Rapid Bec), Haris Medunjanin (Deportivo), Anel Hadzic (Strum), Tino Sven Susic (Hajduk), Senad Lulic (Lazio), Sejad Salihovic (Ghuinzhou Rehne), Rade Krunic (Empoli), Edin Visca (Istanbul), Edin Dzeko (Roma), Milan Duric (Cesena), Vedad Ibisevic (Hertha), Ermin Zec (Gabala), Armin Hodzic (Dinamo), Izet Hajrovic (Eibar).