The Republic of Ireland are 90 minutes away from Euro 2016.
Martin O’Neill’s side earned a 1-1 draw away to Bosnia-Herzegovina, with Robbie Brady giving the team a 82nd minute through with a wonderful strike, or so we hear. Edin Dzeko scored a disappointing equaliser three minutes later but Martin O’Neill will undoubtedly be happy with tonight’s events.
Here are five talking points from the game:
Bosnia are not a team to be feared
We were all fearful beforehand. Bosnia finished their group in good form, Ireland were suffering injuries and suspensions, and our play-off record has been pitiful.
However, it became obvious after just a few minutes that Bosnia are, in the words of John Giles, “no great shakes.” Their best players, Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic, were largely isolated and the latter looked increasingly frustrated as the game went on.
Ireland’s weren’t intimidated by the hostile atmosphere and what O’Neill’s side lacked in ability on the ball, they made up for with hard work and pressure on Bosnia.
Bosnia’s central defenders looked immobile and, had Shane Long being on the pitch, or someone up front with pace, then they could’ve easily been exploited. Ireland outnumbered their opponents in midfield and should look to keep possession better on Monday.
Ireland’s equaliser also shows Asmir Begovic is a goalkeeper in bad form. Despite the fog, the Chelsea ‘keeper should not have been beaten at his near post
With Jon Walters, and hopefully Long, to return on Monday and none of the players in danger of suspension picking up bookings tonight, the stage is set for Ireland to build on this positive result.
Richard Keogh’s performance
The Derby defender stood up to (almost) everything Edin Dzeko threw at him tonight. John O’Shea’s absence was undoubtedly a cause for concern before the game as, despite his advanced age, the Sunderland defender was the most vocal and experienced defender Ireland possess.
However, Keogh definitely stepped up and grew into a leadership role tonight
The defender impressively out-sprinted Dzeko in the first-half, won his fair share of headers and tackles and kept his defence together impressively. Regardless of whether O’Shea returns on Monday, Keogh must keep his place.
Robbie Brady is better in midfield but Stephen Ward is a weak link
Take a bow Robbie Brady. The Dubliner scored a fantastic goal, from what we could see, with a clever turn inside and finish. Brady is one of the better footballers in the team, comfortable in possession, technically gifted and, as he showed tonight, possesses a goal-threat.
When playing at left-back, Brady’s positioning can be suspect at times, as can his levels of concentration, and tonight proved that Brady is a much better option in midfield.
It also proved that Stephen Ward’s best position is on the bench. The Burnley defender put in an admirable performance against Germany, but was the weak link for Ireland tonight.
Bosnia targeted him from the start, and O’Neill eventually showed mercy and hooked him ashore after 67 minutes. Ward’s replacement Marc Wilson, a comfortable, if not natural, option at left-back has to start ahead of him on Monday.
James McClean is a liability
Yes, he’s a fan’s favourite. Yes, he gets the crowd going when he comes off the bench. And yes, he offers a direct threat, but is James McClean really of international standard?
With Ireland winning 1-0, and inevitably about to drop back even deeper, surely it would’ve occurred to McClean to keep an eye on the man he’s meant to be marking.
GOAL! It's our man Edin Dzeko! 8 goals in 8 @EuroQualifiers matches. pic.twitter.com/gB5FZrC4SC
— CalcioASRoma (@CalcioASRoma) November 13, 2015
Obviously not and his role in the equaliser is just unacceptable at international level. If it was Glenn Whelan who’d committed such an error, there’s a chance that social media would’ve crashed with the rush to pour scorn on the player for his mistake.
But McClean’s a fan favourite, for reasons not in anyway relevant to what he does on the pitch, and therefore all will be forgiven. In a high pressure game, the West Brom winger is more likely to commit a costly foul, lose concentration or lose the ball in a dangerous area than contribute something positive.
Surely there are better options available to the team?
It’s all in Ireland’s hands
If Ireland don’t qualify at this point, it will be a crushing disappointment. Bosnia will undoubtedly go all guns blazing to wipe out Ireland’s away goal, but the home side must remain positive. They’ll have players returning from suspension and injury, and an away goal. That wonderful, wonderful away goal. 
The Aviva Stadium should be rocking and we learned tonight Bosnia are not a team to be feared. To lose it from here, and not qualify for the Euros, would be a catastrophe.
