If Ireland’s approach is right, Bosnia are there for taking

On the evidence of what we saw on Friday night in Zenica - when the fog wasn’t making it impossible to see anything at all - Ireland now have a big chance of qualifying for next year’s European Championship finals by beating Bosnia & Herzegovina in the Aviva Stadium tonight.

If Ireland’s approach is right, Bosnia are there for taking

In fact, I’m strongly of the opinion the only thing that can stop us is ourselves. It’s vital we approach this decisive game with the belief we are going to win. We have to take the pitch confident that we’re better than them – and I believe we are. Take Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic out of the equation – and I thought the latter was very much on the periphery on Friday – and Bosnia are not a team we should fear.

Dzeko apart, their temperament was suspect on Friday. In front of their home crowd, when they should have been really strong, I thought they lacked character. Pjanic, in particular, didn’t seem to fancy it. So in Dublin this evening, in front of their own supporters, it’s Ireland’s job to dominate their opponents. And if they impose themselves properly on the game, I really believe that a brittle Bosnia are there for the taking.

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