VIDEO: Bosnia’s Begovic intends to turn home advantage against Ireland

Asmir Begovic is convinced that the play-off remains on a knife edge.

Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic is convinced Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Euro 2016 play-off against the Republic of Ireland remains on a knife edge as the sides prepare for the decisive second leg.

Begovic and his team-mates headed for Dublin having dragged themselves back into the tie through Edin Dzeko’s late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica on Friday evening.

Ireland’s away goal may give them a slight advantage, but the 28-year-old Chelsea stopper insists there has not been a clear favourite since the draw was made, and there still is not.

He said: “Honestly, before the first tie it was two evenly-matched teams. I don’t think there was one clear favourite. As the first game showed, there’s not much between the two sides and I expect more of the same tomorrow night.

“It’s about trying to execute as much as possible and as well as possible and then we will see where it takes us in the end. We will try to limit the mistakes and hopefully we can come out the other side.

“Maybe being at home Ireland will expect a little more and we will try to use that to our advantage.”

Ireland will run out knowing a 0-0 draw will be enough to send them to France next summer, but that a high-scoring draw, let alone an away victory, would see Bosnia claim the ticket instead.

In the circumstances, a clean sheet for Begovic could prove invaluable, and that is exactly what he is targeting to lay the foundation for the men ahead of him.

He said: “Of course keeping a clean sheet will be very important. It’s important that we play an organised game, try to be as compact as possible and try to also limit our mistakes, that’s important.

“But it’s obviously about thing to win the game, trying to be positive as well and trying to find the right balance between attacking and defending.

“It’s a bit of a tricky result to predict, but we will try to keep a clean sheet and try to keep our team as tight as possible.”

Bosnia will have Everton midfielder Muhamed Besic back from suspension, although coach Mehmed Bazdarevic will make a late check on midfielder Mensur Mujdza after he limped off in the wake of a hefty collision with Ciaran Clark in Zenica.

Ireland too will have fresh faces available, and one of them, Jonathan Walters, will be familiar to Begovic following their time together at Stoke.

He said: “I expect a lot from Jon. Jon’s a good quality player and he’s going to strengthen their side, but we’re trying to prepare as much as possible and it would be nice to get one over him.

“I will speak to some of the defenders in our team about Jon. He’s a good quality player and a seasoned pro that has played in the Premier League for a very long time. His quality is there for all to see.

“I’m sure he’ll be excited for about the game, but I also think we’ll be ready for his qualities and try to limit him as much as possible.”