Late leveller costs Belgium
Friday, September 2, 2005
Article summary
Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-1 Belgium The Red Devils conceded a late equaliser, and the leadership of Group 7, in Sarajevo.
Article body
Belgium lost their place at the top of Group 7 as they could only manage a 1-1 draw in Bosnia-Herzegovina as Serbia and Montenegro were defeating Lithuania 3-2.
Belgian fortune
The home side created most of the goalscoring opportunities early on, with Sulejman Smajic going closest when striking a post. Yet it was Belgium who gained the lead on the half-hour when captain Maarten Martens scored from two metres after latching on to a Benjamin De Ceulaer pass.
De Ceulaer dismissed
The Bosnians continued to dominate in the second half as they attempted to find their way back into the match, and saw their hopes raised when Belgium were reduced to ten men on 72 minutes as De Ceulaer was shown a second yellow card.
Penalty leveller
Ibrahim Zukanovic's side finally levelled with eight minutes remaining, Senaid Ibricic converting from the penalty spot after Mark De Man upended Edin Pehlic. However, Bosnia-Herzegovina also failed to finish the game with eleven players following Damir Džombic's dismissal two minutes from time.
Belgium drop
The draw saw Belgium slip to second, while the Bosnians are level with Lithuania on seven points but realistically out of the running for a play-off place.