Dzeko at the double to leave Norn Iron facing relegation
BOSNIA .......... 2 N.IRELAND ...... 0
NORN IRON once again paid the price for a lack of clinical finishing as Edin Dzeko’s double made it three Nations League defeats on the spin.
The Roma star scored a goal in each half for Bosnia to leave Michael O’Neill’s men without a point in Group B3 and in grave danger of relegation to Group C.
The Northern Ireland boss was left to rue their missed chances in the absence of striker Kyle Lafferty as his side hit the woodwork three times.
O’Neill said: “We don’t have that player who can win you games when it’s tight. In these three games we have had numerous chances but we’ve not taken them.”
George Saville hit the post early on for Northern Ireland but Dzeko made no mistake on 27 minutes thanks to a defensive calamity.
Jamal Lewis appeared to be in no danger on the edge of his box until he slipped and his legs gave way under him. Edin Visca stole the ball, fed Dzeko on the left side of the area and he steered the ball home across keeper Bailey PeacockFarrell on 27 minutes.
The former Manchester City star’s fierce volley on the turn was ruled out on a marginal offside call before the break.
Gavin Whyte had a shot blocked on the line and struck a post with the rebound when scoring looked easier in the second half.
Dzeko curled in his second to wrap up the points on 73 minutes and put Bosnia within touching distance of promotion to League A. To add insult to injury, Whyte hit the post again in stoppage time.