.The Peter Ijeh Column Continues With Countdown To Brazil 2014 –
Hello sports fans round the globe , Here is a special on Bosnia-Herzegovina’s trip to the World Cup and players used in the qualification and the minutes the players contributed to see their country go through, to the World Cup in Brazil.
Vedad Ibisevic’s goal in Lithuania sealed Bosnia-Herzegovina’s first ever appearance as an independent nation at a World Cup finals. If Safet Susic’s players were honest, they were probably just grateful to avoid a second-place finish in the group, and a possible meeting with Portugal who eliminated them at the play-off stage for the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
Susic can call on a strong spine in the form of outstanding Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, captain and central defensive rock Emir Spahic, midfielder schemer Miralem Pjanic and striker Edin Dzeko.
Pjanic provides a terrific supply line to strikers Dzeko and Ibisevic who were on fire in qualifying. Susic adopted an aggressive approach throughout qualifying and was rewarded as his side netted 30 times in 10 matches.
While Bosnia are heading to Brazil to enjoy their first ever qualification, there is also a belief in the ranks that they can do some damage in a group also containing Argentina, Nigeria and Greece. Bosnia played a total of 10 matches and used 24 players to qualify.
Player Club Minutes contributed in qualifying rounds
Asmir Begović Stoke (ENG) 900 mins
Edin Džeko Man. City (ENG) 900 mins
Emir Spahić Sevilla (ESP), Anzhi (RUS), Leverkusen (GER) 900 mins
Vedad Ibišević Stuttgart (GER) 891 mins
Sejad Salihović Hoffenheim (GER) 778 mins
Zvjezdan Misimović Dinamo Moskva (RUS), Guizhou Renhe (CHN) 774 mins
Senad Lulić Lazio (ITA) 691 mins
Miralem Pjanić Roma (ITA) 657 mins
Haris Medunjanin Gaziantepspor (TUR) 550 mins
Adnan Zahirović Spartak N/(RUS), Dinamo Minsk (BLR), Bochum (GER) 501 mins
Mensur Mujdža Freiburg (GER) 459 mins
Ognjen Vranješ Krasnodar (RUS), Alaniaz (RUS) 450 mins
Avdija Vršajević Hajduk Split (CRO) 413 mins
Ermin Bičakčić Braunschweig (GER) 360 mins
Ervin Zukanović Kortrijk (BEL) 196 mins
Toni Šunjić Zorya Luhansk (UKR) 90 mins
Elvir Rahimić CSKA Moskva (RUS) 81 mins
Miroslav Stevanović Vojvodina (SRB), Sevilla (ESP), Elche (ESP) 77 mins
Senijad Ibričić Gaziantepspor (TUR), Kayseri Erciyesspor (TUR) 67 mins
Eden Višća Istanbul BB (TUR) 66 mins
Izet Hajrović Grasshopper (SUI) 49 mins
Zoran Kvržić Rijeka (CRO) 28 mins
Muamer Svraka Sarajevo (BIH) 11 mins
Damir Vrančić Braunschweig (GER) 11 mins
Provisional 24-man Bosnia 2014 World Cup Squad;
Goalkeepers: Asmir Begovic (Stoke City), Jasmin Fejzic (Aalen), Asmir Avdukic (Borac Banja Luka)
Defenders: Emir Spahic (Bayer Leverkusen), Sead Kolasinac (Schalke), Ermin Bicakcic (Eintracht Braunschweig), Ognjen Vranjes (Elazigspor), Toni Sunjic (Zorya Lugansk), Avdija Vrsajevic (Hajduk Split), Mensur Mujdza (Freiburg), Ervin Zukanovic (Gent)
Midfielders: Zvjezdan Misimovic (Guizhou Renhe), Haris Medunjanin (Gaziantepspor), Miralem Pjanic (Roma), Sejad Salihovic (Hoffenheim), Senad Lulic (Lazio), Izet Hajrovic (Galatasaray), Senijad Ibricic (Erciyesspor), Edin Visca (Istanbul BB), Tino Susic (Hajduk Split), Muhamed Besic (Ferencvaros), Anel Hadzic (Sturm Graz)
Forwards: Edin Dzeko (Manchester City), Vedad Ibisevic (VfB Stuttgart)
The Coach: Safet Susic; guiding Bosnia to their first ever World Cup is undoubtedly the greatest triumph of Susic’s career. Once voted the country’ best ever player, Susic lacks real coaching experience and Brazil 2014 will provide a stern test of his managerial abilities.
Player to Watch: Edin Dzeko; often a peripheral figure at Manchester City, the former Wolfsburg striker’s goal ratio is nonetheless impressive. Dzeko is a confident finisher in the air and on the ground and his partnership with Ibisevic should not be underestimated by Bosnia’s group stage opponents. The pair netted 18 goals between them in qualifying.
Group Matches:
Sunday, 15 June, 2014 Vs Argentina (Rio)
Saturday, 21 June, 2014 Vs Nigeria (Cuiaba)
Thursday, 26 June, 2014 Vs Iran (Salvador)
Prediction: Second Round
Bosnia have more than enough to finish second in this group. Their qualifying group may not have been the toughest, but dropping points in just two of their 10 fixtures stands them in good stead for these finals. Argentina surely have first place sown up, but Bosnia undoubtedly have what it takes to see off Iran and African Nations Cup holders Nigeria. It will likely be between the Europeans and Africans for second place, with Susic’s men just to edge it and set up a possible second round clash with France or Switzerland.
Let me stop here for now, join me again for another edition, till then, have a nice day and poke in some goals for now and the future.
Only goals and consistency that make a different in life.
Please, do send your reactions to xmac4u@yahoo.com
Peter Ijeh,
ULc, BSs.
