We know exactly how Bosnian fans feel this morning.
Too many times before we have come off second best to teams in play-offs for major international football tournaments.
And we also know only too well how hard a defeat is to take when the opposition have been given a helping hand, pardon the pun, in getting a winning result.
Bazdarevic in tears after the game. We are plenty of fans here in Dublin with the same feeling. pic.twitter.com/YckJO8S7X2
— BiHFootball (@BiHFootball) November 16, 2015
Ireland were on the receiving end of a harsh penalty call against the visitors in the opening half, when Björn Kuipers pointed to the spot after an apparent handball by Ervin Zukanovic.
Jon Walters tucked home the resulting penalty but the Bosnia manager Mehmed Baždarević felt it was a huge moment in the game,
“I don’t want to speak too much about that because it could have consequences, but the referee had a terrible night. He was the worst on the pitch.”
Bosnia manager feels hard to speak about the game, he is that disappointed #IREvBOS #Euro2016Playoffs
— Dave Hooper (@davehooperSSNS) November 16, 2015
Bosnia endured a terrible start to their group and failed to win any of their opening three games. With the appointment of Bazdarevic however the team managed to make the play-offs.
The Bosnia coach paid tribute to what he described as a more aggressive Ireland team after the loss,
“The team (Ireland) played very well and they had more options.”
“I think we answered them and we played well and we tried to answer the Irish aggression but we did our best.”
“I am disappointed about the game it’s hard for me to speak about it. I’m sorry for the fans.”
It also seems like the manager will not be in charge of his native country for much longer after last night’s loss
Mehmed Baždarević was supposed to sign a new 2 year contract after play offs but signaled during last nights presser he'd rather step down.
— Runar Nordvik (@RunarNordvik) November 17, 2015
