Play-off analysis: Bosnia & Herzegovina v Ireland
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Article summary
Bosnia and Herzegovina are on a three-game competitive winning streak as they prepare to take on the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA EURO 2016 play-offs.
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Article body
Bosnia and Herzegovina will look to make it to their first UEFA European Championship as they take on the Republic of Ireland in the play-offs.
Dates
• Bosnia & Herzegovina v Ireland, 20.45CET, Friday 13 November
• Ireland v Bosnia & Herzegovina, 20.45CET, Monday 16 November
Previous meetings
The sides' only previous meeting was a 2012 friendly in Dublin, Shane Long scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win for the Irish.
Form guide
• Bosnia and Herzegovina enter the play-offs on a three-game competitive winning streak.
• The Bosnians lost their sole previous UEFA European Championship play-off, their bid to reach UEFA EURO 2012 foundering as they crashed 6-2 to Portugal after a 0-0 draw at home.
• They also missed out to Portugal in their only FIFA World Cup play-off, going down 1-0 home and away to be denied a place at the 2010 finals.
• The Republic of Ireland have featured in three EURO play-offs, losing two and winning one. They succumbed 2-0 to the Netherlands at Anfield in the first-ever EURO play-off, with EURO '96 qualification at stake. They then sat out UEFA EURO 2000 after an away-goals defeat by Turkey in the play-offs.
• Ireland broke their duck third time out, beating Estonia 5-1 on aggregate to proceed to UEFA EURO 2012.
• The Irish have also been involved in three World Cup play-offs (W2 L1). They lost to Belgium (2-3 agg 1998) and France (1-2 agg 2010), but overcame Iran 2-1 on aggregate to advance to the 2002 finals.
Trivia and links
• Bosnia and Herzegovina came third in Group B behind Belgium and Wales. The Republic of Ireland finished behind Germany and Poland in Group D.
• The Bosnians have never qualified for a EURO but memorably went to their first major tournament in Brazil two summers ago.
• Ireland made their EURO finals debut in 1988; they got to their second finals via the play-offs but lost all three UEFA EURO 2012 group stage games.
• Robbie Keane hit five goals in this qualifying campaign and is now fifth in the list of Europe's all-time leading international scorers. He has struck 67 times in 143 appearances.
• Ireland midfielder James McCarthy turns 25 on 12 November.
