The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
All to play for in Dublin after Dzeko’s late strike
EURO 2016: Brady gives Republic hope with priceless away goal in Zenica
Edin Dzeko denied the Republic of Ireland a precious first leg victory as Bosnia & Herzegovina ensured a tense conclusion to their Euro 2016 play-off showdown last night.
Robbie Brady had fired Ireland into an unlikely 82nd-minute lead at the fog-swathed Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica after the home side had dominated in front of a hugely partisan crowd.
However, Roma hitman Dzeko ensured that his team will head for Dublin on Monday evening level at 1-1 and with everything to play for.
Republic boss Martin O’Neill, who travelled to Bosnia without key players Shay Given, John O’Shea, Jonathan Walters and Shane Long through a combination of injury and suspension, had impressed the importance of both a clean sheet and an away goal on his players.
He very nearly left with both, although that would have been harsh on Bosnia, who dominated for long periods in a game which only really exploded into life at the end.
However, that away goal could yet prove priceless as Ireland attempt to secure their second successive passage to the European Championship finals to join England, Northern Ireland and Wales in France next summer.
Ireland reached half-time intact, as so often in the past, a testament to their organisation and commitment, and with keeper Darren Randolph, the former Motherwell star, having made only one save of note, and that not particularly taxing.
However, they were forced to soak up pressure for almost the entire 45 minutes with lone striker Daryl Murphy isolated and playmaker Wes Hoolahan having little impact.
Miralem Pjanic fired high over with 11 minutes gone after being set up 20 yards out by Mensur Mujdza and Vedad Ibisevic steered an inviting Visca cross into the side-netting 11 minutes later.
But in the meantime, full-back Ervin Zukanovic might have broken the deadlock when a 14th-minute Pjanic corner reached him unmarked eight yards out, but he failed to make meaningful contact.
Edin Visca was similarly wasteful after Seamus Coleman had intervened to cut out Dzeko’s driven 28th-minute cross but Zukanovic did prompt Randolph to make his first save four minutes later, with a firm header – but one which lacked the right direction.
The visitors mustered their first attempt of the game two minutes after the restart when skipper-for-the-night Glenn Whelan took aim from all of 35 yards, but even with visibility significantly reduced by descending mist, keeper Asmir Begovic was able to watch the ball sail high and wide.
The opening goal finally arrived with just eight minutes remaining, when Brady ran on to Edin Cocalic’s attempted clearance and cut inside central defender Toni Sunjic before blasting a shot into the bottom corner.
But Ireland’s joy was short-lived as Lulic combined with substitute Ognjen Vranjes just three minutes later to allow Dzeko to level.