Bosnia and Herzegovina secure victory against Qatar, nearing knockout stage
Bosnia and Herzegovina defeated Qatar 3-1, significantly boosting their World Cup knockout stage chances. Qatar is now eliminated. Read the match highlights!
Bosnia and Herzegovina on verge of knockout stage after seeing off Qatar
Bosnia and Herzegovina secured a 3-1 victory over Qatar, significantly boosting their chances of advancing to the knockout stage of the World Cup. This win eliminated Qatar from the tournament. The match, filled with incident and moments of brilliance, saw Bosnia and Herzegovina almost certainly qualify as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
The team’s focus on increasing their goals-scored column proved beneficial, with thousands of supporters celebrating enthusiastically after Ermin Mahmic scored a crucial third goal. This result places Bosnia and Herzegovina third in Group B, setting up a probable last-32 encounter with the USA in Santa Clara.
Key Moments and Celebrations
The opening goal, a standout moment of the game, came from 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegovic. Approaching the half-hour mark, Alajbegovic received a pass from Ivan Basic outside the box, moved from left to right, and, after evading a couple of defenders, struck a shot from 20 yards into the top corner. This goal was described as a beauty, hit while off-balance.
Five minutes after the opening goal, Bosnia and Herzegovina doubled their lead. Edin Dzeko, celebrating his 150th cap, attempted to cushion a diagonal pass for Esmir Bajraktarevic. The ball, however, deflected off Sultan al-Brake’s shins and went past Mahmud Abunada at his near post. Later, Dzeko hit a low effort against a post after being released one-on-one by a chipped pass.
Qatar managed to pull one goal back before half-time. Hassan al-Haydos, 35, captaining his team in his first World Cup start, capitalised on some defensive slackness to convert Edmilson Junior’s pullback. Qatar also showed attacking intent, with Pedro Miguel hitting the post in first-half stoppage time after receiving a pass from Akram Afif.
The final whistle brought jubilant scenes among the Bosnia and Herzegovina squad and their fans. Sead Kolasinac, one of two players from their 2014 World Cup appearance, clenched his fists, while Edin Dzeko embraced staff members. Ermin Mahmic, 21, who was an Austrian youth international until May, was visibly emotional. Supporters in the stands waved blue-and-yellow scarves, and a victory lap ensued, accompanied by the track ‘USA’ from Bosnian rock band Dubioza Kolektiv.
Coach’s Perspective and Player Development
Despite the celebrations, head coach Sergej Barbarez maintained a reserved demeanour. He expressed his happiness, stating, “It’s incredible, there’s no words to describe my happiness right now. I’m the happiest person in the world to be here on this stage and represent my country.” He also mentioned that his ecstatic reaction would come later.
Barbarez acknowledged the talent of Kerim Alajbegovic, who was instrumental in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s journey to this point. Alajbegovic had previously entered as a game-changing substitute in playoff victories against Wales and Italy, scoring decisive penalties in both shootout wins, including one in Cardiff. Barbarez explained his cautious approach with the young player, noting the difficulty in timing his introduction to relieve him of public pressure.
Alajbegovic’s performances for RB Salzburg last season impressed Bayer Leverkusen, leading the Bundesliga club to activate an €8m buyback clause in March to re-sign him on a five-year contract. While often a reliable impact substitute, Alajbegovic thrived in his second consecutive start in this match.
During the match, Barbarez made tactical changes at half-time, introducing Amar Memic and Benjamin Tahirovic, as his team had shown signs of fading. Qatar, despite their defensive vulnerabilities, did not collapse as they had against Canada. However, Mahmic’s goal in the 80th minute, pouncing on a loose ball at the penalty spot, sealed the victory for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Barbarez remained diplomatic about the team’s progression, stating, “We still have to see whether we are going to progress to the next stage.” He also highlighted the significance of the team’s presence for their diaspora, noting, “We are little, but there are a lot of us… It is very important we are here and it means a lot to them.”
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Source: theguardian.com
Rohan Gupta
Sports Reporter
