Monday 16 November 2015

Preview - Republic of Ireland v Bosnia


Republic of Ireland host Bosnia-Herzegovina in Dublin on Monday with their Euro 2016 qualifying play-off with the tie delicately balanced.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the fog in Zenica on Friday evening, a result that gives the Republic a slim advantage heading into the return clash at the Aviva Stadium.

Republic manager Martin O'Neill knows that a goalless draw will be enough to see his team progress to next summer's European championship in France.

However, O'Neill has warned his players that relying on their away goal to seal their place in France next summer would be a "recipe for disaster".

"Obviously, it would be terrific if we could do it, but I have to be very, very mindful of the fact that we are a long way away from doing that," he said.

"We have to put things into perspective: Bosnia are capable of scoring, they could wipe that advantage, that away goal that we have within minutes of the game, and then suddenly they are on the front foot.

"If we think that we can keep them out for 90 minutes and camp ourselves just outside our own penalty area, that would be a recipe for disaster.

Martin O'Neill believes his players can't afford to rely on their away goal against Bosnia

"We have to consider being really on the front foot, genuinely, and going and trying to win this game, and that's it.

"If you'd thought that we'd have to win in the Aviva for the final time, you probably would have taken that."

Republic of Ireland defender Ciaran Clark said he is fully focused after his side scored a crucial away goal in their 1-1 draw with Bosnia

Republic of Ireland defender Ciaran Clark said he is fully focused after his side scored a crucial away goal in their 1-1 draw with Bosnia

One player the Republic will need to keep a close eye on is Bosnia winger Edin Visca, who produced an impressive display in the first leg at the Bilino Polje Stadium, creating Edin Dzeko's late equaliser.

"They raid down the right-hand side because they've got a very, very fine right winger," O'Neill added. "What they want to do is try to get it out to the little lad, who is exceptionally talented.

"I think he could cause problems to anybody."

Forward Shane Long and defender John O'Shea trained with the Republic squad on Sunday morning and the duo could now be fit to face Bosnia after knee and hamstring injuries respectively.

Meanwhile, Stoke City striker Jonathan Walters will be back from suspension after missing the game in Zenica.

However, Daryl Murphy, who led the line in Long's absence in the first leg, was the only man to sit out the warm-up, while veteran goalkeeper Shay Given misses the match with a knee injury.


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