World Soccer - UK (2020-04)

WORLD SERVICE

BOSNIA

Three Reasons to be Cheerful

1

Their world-class big guns: centre-

forward and skipper Edin Dzeko

and cultured schemer Miralem Pjanic.

If those two deliver individually so does

the collective.

2

Only appointed late last year,

new coach Dusan Bajevic is a

wily, experienced old hand and, more

importantly, he is a winner. The architect

of multiple Greek league titles with

AEK and Olympiakos, although he is

far less excitable than his predecessor

Robert Prosinecki.

3

In the 2018 Nations League they

beat Northern Ireland home and

away, prevailing 2-1 in Belfast and 2-0

in Sarajevo. A sure psychological edge.

Three Fear Factors

1

The failure of attempts to lure

centre-back Ognjen Vranjes out of

international retirement. What message

did that send out to the other stoppers

in the current squad?

2

A track record of disappointment

and false dawns in tournament

play-offs: twice undone by Portugal

(in the repechage for the 2010 World

Cup and Euro 2012) and losing to the

Republic of Ireland at the final fence

en route to Euro 2016.

3

Their poor form in Euro 2020

qualification. They lost five of their

10 ties and only finished fourth in Group

J behind Italy, Finland and Greece.

Bosnia v Northern Ireland

NORTHERN IRELAND

Three Reasons to be Cheerful

1

They will have been buoyed by

a very strong qualifying campaign,

coming third in a tough group behind

Germany and Holland, being good

enough to hold an excellent Dutch

side to a goalless draw in Belfast.

2

It will be a last hurrah for coach

Michael O’Neill who, after eight

glorious years in charge, will walk away

once the play-off account is settled. The

Stoke City boss has worked wonders

for the team and is a wonderful man-

manager and organiser.

3

Very much a player on the up, Stuart

Dallas brings triple quantities of

energy, aggression and versatility to the

table. A favourite of Leeds United coach

Marcelo Bielsa, he can operate on either

flank or in central midfield.

Three Fear Factors

1

The goalkeeping spot is a huge area

of concern. Neither Bailey Peacock-

Farrell (Burnley), Michael McGovern

(Norwich) nor Trevor Carson (Motherwell)

are enjoying regular first-team football.

Indeed, McGovern and Peacock-Farrell

are third choice at their respective clubs.

2

They are sure to miss midfielder

Corry Evans, who fractured his skull

and an eye socket in a horrific incident

early this year.

3

The assumption that the two

Irish nations will meet in a Path

B showdown ignores the fact that

there is a semi-final to be won first.

Organised...Michael Smith (19) and Craig Cathcart

Class...Edin

Dzeko (right) and

Miralem Pjanic