Ibišević goal guides Bosnians through
Wednesday, September 6, 2006
Article summary
Norway 1-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina Vedad Ibišević's late effort steered the visitors into the play-offs as depleted Norway pushed them hard in Stavanger.
Article body
Vedad Ibišević's late goal steered Bosnia-Herzegovina into October's UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-offs with a 1-1 draw against Norway in Stavanger securing first place in Group 1.
Norway depleted
Requiring only a point to guarantee their progress, the visitors struggled to convert their possession into meaningful chances early on and Norway took a surprise lead midway through the first half when Olav Tuelo Johannesen rifled in. It brought rare cheer for a team severely depleted by food poisoning, with five players missing from the side that lost 1-0 to Armenia on Saturday.
Ibišević intervenes
That result meant Norway needed to win by two clear goals to seal their own progress but with so many absent, they were unable to add to their lead. Instead Bosnia equalised with eleven minutes remaining when Ibišević fired in after good build-up work from captain Senidad Ibričić to go through to the next stage at the expense of Armenia.