Jubilant Bosnians book play-off place
Saturday 10 October 2009
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Bosnia-Herzegovina's dreams of reaching their first FIFA World Cup finals moved a step closer to becoming reality when Miroslav Blažević's men triumphed 2-0 in Estonia to clinch the runners-up spot in Group 5 and a place in next month's play-offs.
Džeko opener
With undefeated section leaders Spain their final opponents on Wednesday, Bosnia-Herzegovina were understandably keen to leave nothing to chance in Tallinn, where, after a number of early chances, Edin Džeko opened the scoring in the 32nd minute. The 23-year-old striker had hit five goals in his last five games for VfL Wolfsburg and he headed in a cross from club-mate Zvjezdan Misimović to register his 13th goal in 20 internationals.
Play-offs beckon
Estonia had opportunities of their own and Vladimir Voskoboinikov should have drawn the home side level when he pounced on an error in the Bosnian defence shortly before the break. Instead, it was the visiting side who scored next on 62 minutes, when Misimović threaded a pass through the Estonian defence to Vedad Ibišević, who slotted the ball past Sergei Pareiko to spark delight among the vocal away fans. Victory clinched second spot behind Spain and ended the play-off hopes of UEFA EURO 2008™ semi-finalists Turkey in the process as Bosnia-Herzegovina made sure of one of the eight best runners-up spots. The draw for the play-offs will made on 19 October, with the two-legged ties to be contested on 14 and 18 November.
Blažević delight
"We fulfilled the expectations we had at the start of qualifying, which were to reach the play-offs," Bosnia-Herzegovina coach Miroslav Blažević said. "I had, and still have, faith in these young players and the fans who were, and still are, our 12th player on the pitch. We welcome the European champions to Zenica on Wednesday and after that we will start thinking about the play-off draw. Today, football is the most popular thing in our country."
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