By Mazvita Maraire Posted on

Bosnia-Herzegovina defeats Qatar 2-1 will likely play USA in round of 32

In all winner-take-all contests between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar, Herzegovina was the true aggressor from the get-go.

Seconds into the match, Southern Europe had a corner kick that the Qatar goalkeeper, Mahmd Abunada, saved. While the shot was harmless, it signaled Bosnia and Herzegovina’s aggressive start, with midfielder Kerim Alabegovic playing a pivotal role in orchestrating the high press and creating scoring opportunities.

The strategy worked to perfection; pinned deep in its own half, Qatar struggled to get the ball out of its own half and resorted to fouling when it turned the ball over.  Qatar committed three consecutive turnovers in the 11th, 16th, and 20th minutes. The chances went begging, and the scoreline stayed level until the 28th minute.  

With Qatar pinned deep inside its goal box, B& H midfielder Kerim Alabegovic was given time and space and slalomed from the left to the right of the goal box and unleashed a right-footed blast for the 1-0 lead.  

 There was too much space between the Qatar midfield and back line, which allowed Bosnia-Herzegovina to continue its ball dominance. The European side doubled its lead in the 33rd minute on a own goal.  Edzi Dzeko’s shot ricocheted off Qatar defender Sultan Al Brake and into the Qatar goal, giving Qatar a 2-0 lead.

LET  OFF

For some unexplained reason, Bosnia  & Herzegovina stopped the stifling press and retreated into its own half. The lapse in judgment gave Qatar the confidence they needed to hunt and find a goal. Miguel sprinted down the right flank and quickly crossed the ball into the B&H goalmouth. It looked like the ball would go untouched until winger Hassa Al Haidos caught up to the pass in the nick of time to tap the ball into the back of the net in the 42nd minute. The half ended with B&H holding on to a 2-1 lead, as neither side was willing to take any chances with time running out.

CAGEY START

The second half started the way the first half ended. Both sides were playing cautious football, with passes more side-to-side than line-penetrating ball into space. B&H had the majority of possession, with Qatar willing to cede it.  Qatar’s best attacking play came in the  66th minute. A give-and-go between Akrim  Afif and Hassan  Al  Haidos nearly split the  B& H defense.  Afif’s first touch was too heavy, and he was unable to keep the ball from going out of bounds, which resulted in a goal kick for B & H.

OPPORTUNITSTIC  GOAL

Southern Europe began to push their lines up and put pressure on the Qatar midblock and backline, and nearly doubled in the 79th minute.  Esmir Bajraktarevic dribbled down the right side, then cut inside and unleashed a left-footed shot that was headed for the back of the net. Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada used all of his 6’3 height to make the game-saving save.  The save only stalled the inevitable. On the corner, there was a scramble in front of the Qatar goalmouth.

Ermin  Mahmic collected the loose ball in the  Qatar goal box and restored the European side’s two-goal advantage with a right-footed poke in the 78th minute.  Qatar searched for a second goal but was unable to find it, and the game ended  3-1.  With the loss, Qatar is now eliminated from the World Cup.

“ We earned a historic point, and it is time for our younger players to take their game to the next level, ” said  Qata head coach  Julen Lopetegui.

Bosnia and Herzegovina head coach Sergej Barbarez was asked about his team’s overall play.

“ We let off in the last five to six minutes of the first half, and it’s what we will look to work on, “ Barbarez said. “ We have  advanced  in the tournament, and it is something that I am proud to say about my  players and  all the  supporters we have here in the stadium and back home.”

If all holds to form the Bosnia and Herzegovina will likely play the USMNT July 1st as San Francisco stadium.

Discover more from Cascadiasports.net

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply