If you’re looking for a definition of Ireland’s collective spirit, look no further.
For a team that had just under 35% possession and 63% pass accuracy, Ireland negotiated the Bosnia threat with remarkable ease.
Bosnia controlled an awful lot of the ball yet only had one shot on target all night. Ireland had two shots on target and scored from them both – thanks Jon Walters.
Bosnian players took 9 shots at the Irish goal. Only midfielder Haris Medunjanin hit the target. Substitute Vedad Ibisevic rattled the crossbar in the closing stages.
5 Irish players blocked shots that were heading in Darren Randolph’s direction.
Four Irish players – James McCarthy, Jon Walters, Richard Keogh and Wes Hoolahan – come out of the official match statistics smelling of roses. Jeff Hendrick and Robbie Brady did well too.
Best tackler
Given the fact that Ireland were chasing the ball for most of the match, the Irish players topped the tackling chart. McCarthy, in fact, made six interceptions but one of them was a clean piece of dispossession.
Next on the list were Jeff Hendrick and Robbie Brady with three won apiece.
Headers won
Far and away the most dominant of any player, from either side, in the air. He contested for the ball on 10 occasions and made six clearances.
Best pass completion rate
Although UEFA only list Hoolahan as having 80% pass accuracy, the equally reliable WhoScored list him as completing 12 of his 14 passes.
Next on both sites is Jeff Hendrick – 12 from 15 for 80%. The most accurate passer from either team was Bosnia defender Emir Spahic, on 89%.
Shooting accuracy
The Stoke forward slotted home a first-half penalty and calmly side-footed home at the back-post for his second. In between, he was off target with one effort.
The other four Irish players that missed the target were Hendrick, Shane Long and James McClean.
