Bosnia-Herzegovina reached their first ever major finals on
Tuesday as a 1-0 win over Lithuania saw them confirm
their place at next year's World Cup.
They will be joined by holders Spain, who made no
mistake in beating Georgia 2-0 at home in Albacete, and
England, who also won 2-0 at home to Poland to reach
their fifth successive World Cup finals.
England's manager from their failed 2010 finals campaign
Fabio Capello will also be in Brazil after Russia got the
point they needed with a 1-1 away draw at Azerbaijan.
It will be the 2018 World Cup hosts' first World Cup finals
since 2002.
Bosnia – who had lost to Portugal in play-offs for the 2010
World Cup and Euro 2012 – progress at the expense of
Greece, who go into the play-offs, while Portugal finish
runners-up to Russia and will also contest a winner takes all
play-off.
Vedad Ibisevic was Bosnia's hero as he scored what was the
most important of his 20 international goals as the 29-year-
old Stuttgart striker struck in the 68th minute.
His sidefooted effort came just two minutes after he had
seen another shot brilliantly saved by Giederius Arlauskas,
who had denied Bosnia throughout the match in a stunning
performance.
Arlausakas's performance could be put into the context that
only the Germans and the Dutch have scored more goals in
the qualifying games than the Bosnians.
Greece by contrast have failed to sparkle in front of goal
and were only able to beat Liechtenstein 2-0 in Athens.
Dimitris Salpingidis scored in the seventh minute but the
goal shy Greeks – who had only scored 10 goals going
into the match from their previous nine qualifiers – failed to
add to that until veteran Giorgos Karagounis, appearing in
his 130th game for the national side, scored with a free kick
nine minutes from time.
Greece coach Fernandos Santos, who was praised for
guiding unfancied Greece to last year's Euro 2012
quarterfinals, said his side were unfortunate to have to
contest the play-offs with the points they had accrued.
"If you would have told me before the start of the
qualifying round that with 25 points we would not have
gained a direct berth to the World Cup I would not have
believed it," he said.
"We have to congratulate Bosnia for their performance and
finishing first."
Russia too scored early on in Baku, Roman Shirokov
netting for the visitors, and although Azeri substitute Vagif
Dzhavadov levelled in time added on a point was still
enough for the Russians to progress.
"I'm satisfied with our performance in this qualifying
campaign," said coach Fabio Capello.
"We finished in first place having such a strong opponent
as Portugal in our group.
"We played well in all of the matches except the game in
Northern Ireland where we produced unsatisfactory
football. But in general I have positive memories from this
campaign."
Portugal, who were missing the suspended Cristiano
Ronaldo, got on top early at home to Luxembourg as
Silvestre Varela and Nani scored in the first-half - but only
after Luxembourg had had a player sent off.
However, they were only able to add one more in the
second-half as veteran striker Helder Postiga scored 11
minutes from time.
Portugal and Greece will learn who their opponents are in
the play-offs in the draw next Monday.
Portuguese coach Paulo Bento admitted they had not been
the best team in the group but pledged his side would do
their utmost to reach Brazil.
"When results and performances have not been good it is
logical to shake things up," said Bento, who took them to
the Euro 2012 semifinals.
"However, we cannot as we have a short time only to
prepare for the play-offs in the best possible manner."
No comments:
Post a Comment