Portugal seal place in finals

PORTUGAL negotiated a tricky tie to qualify for the World Cup after a 1-0 success in Bosnia-Herzegovina sealed a 2-0 aggregate success last night.

Carlos Queiroz’s side headed into the second leg in front thanks to Bruno Alves’ goal on home soil, but Bosnia-Herzegovina had been unfortunate to be trailing after being denied by the woodwork three times in Portugal.

However, Portugal made no mistake in the return as Raul Meireles’ goal after 56 minutes was enough to guarantee a safe passage through to South Africa.

The hosts’ bid to claw back the deficit in the closing stages was hampered on 76 minutes when Sejad Salihovic was sent off.

Portugal struggled in their group, finishing second to Denmark, but despite the absence of the injured Cristiano Ronaldo booked their place in South Africa with a deserved play-off victory.

“These marathons are only over after the final whistle and I want to thank my players for showing such spirit,’’ said Queiroz.

Meireles added: “Our play and our attitude were the most important things out there.

“The pitch was cutting up badly and it was not always possible to play well — but we won, we are through and we are happy.

“We always believed in ourselves.’’

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA: Hasagic, Jahic, Nadarevic, Pandza, Ibricic, Salihovic, Bajramovic (Berberovic 82), Pjanic, Haris (Muslimovic 45), Ibisevic, Dzeko.

PORTUGAL: Eduardo, Carvalho, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Ferreira, Duda, Tiago, Raul Meireles, Nani (Edinho 73), Simao (Deco 80), Liedson (Veloso 90). Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy).