Saturday, November 14, 2009

Portugal 1-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina

Bruno Alves's first-half goal gave Portugal an unconvincing first-leg win at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina in their World Cup qualifying play-off.
Alves (pictured) bundled the ball in at the far post after Nani's right-wing cross was allowed to fizz across goal on 31 minutes.
The Bosnians were very unfortunate not to bag an away goal after hitting the woodwork three times, including twice in succession with only a minute left.
Portugal, with four foreign-born players in their starting line-up, dominated possession but laboured in front of goal, while Bosnia's dangerous strikers were a constant threat on the break.
The hosts started the brighter although Bosnia soon found a counter-attacking rhythm and Hajduk Split midfielder Senijad Ibricic went close with a header wide from a ninth-minute corner.
For all their possession, Portugal did not truly threaten Kenan Hasagic's goal until Raul Meireles forced the Bosnia keeper to tip over just after the half hour.
They were ahead soon afterwards when defender Alves stole in unmarked at the far post after Nani's wicked centre evaded both attack and defence.
Bosnia rallied as Vedad Ibisevic bicycle-kicked just over and Sejad Sahilovic was foiled by Portugal keeper Eduardo.
Two minutes before half-time Ibricic was agonisingly close to equalising from another corner but his power-header crashed off the bar.
The second half followed a similar pattern of Portugal bossing the ball but Bosnia dangerous on the counter.
Liedson, Sporting's naturalised striker, should have made it 2-0 after his outrageous flick set him clear but he fired over from close range.
Within seconds fellow Brazilian-born expatriate Deco tried a long shot that just cleared the bar but, for all their territorial dominance, the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo and any cutting edge up front meant they were as toothless as they were stylish.
The visitors were desperately unlucky not to equalise. With a quarter of an hour left Wolfsburg hit-man Edin Dzeko fired into the side netting after leaving Paulo Ferreira for dead, but the real drama came in the latter stages.
On 89 minutes Dzeko - who with Wayne Rooney was joint-second top scorer in qualifying with nine goals - dived in at the far post to head a right-wing cross past Eduardo but, in doing everything right by putting the ball low into the ground, his finish bounced up off the crossbar.
The loose ball dropped to substitute Zlatan Muslimovic, who finished low past the stranded Braga keeper but off the inside of the far post.
Portugal held on for the win on the night but the second leg in Sarajevo on November 18 might not see Bosnia so forgiving.

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