They are football players from Bosnia and Herzegovina world championship opened with a draw against Canada, selector Sergej Barbarez however, he emphasized after the match that the 1:1 result was realistic. The dragons were close to victory, as they were leading ten minutes before the end, but after the match Barbarez was mainly satisfied with the result and the reaction of his players.
“There’s always a bitter aftertaste when you’re leading and you concede a goal ten minutes from time. The boys were disappointed, I had to lift them up. But you have to be realistic – we also had some luck, so 1:1 is a realistic result. For us, this is a good point to continue the competition,” said Barbarez after the match.
The next challenges are Switzerland and Qatar
Bosnia and Herzegovina won a point against strong Canada, which can mean a lot to her in the continuation of the group stage. “After the first game, we can’t count on what will be enough for us, but this result certainly opens the door to the elimination fights. We have to try to win the next games against Switzerland and Qatar, and then we’ll see what happens,” the coach added.
This is how Jovo Lukić was looking forward to the goal. PHOTO: Cole Burston/AFP
Barbarez emphasized that his players used up their last atoms of strength against their rival, who, according to him, had been preparing for the World Cup for more than two years. “Canada is a top team. Of course, we lacked something in the playing part, especially balance, but this is a tournament, it is played for points. And we opened all the doors with this draw. That was the goal,” he said.
It was a special chapter of the match Jovo Lukićwho scored Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first goal at the World Cup. “Each boy has his task. All 27 players who are here have their own reason why they are part of the team. It’s nice when a player gives it back to you on the field. A goal is important to Jovi because he is a striker and that’s what he lives for,” said Barbarez.
Edin Džeko did not get a chance to play. PHOTO: Kevin Sousa/Reuters
The selector also explained some tactical decisions. He made it into the starting eleven Memićas he wanted more security and defensive energy than s Kerim Alajbegović. “Kerim is a completely different player in the attacking part. If we overburden him with defensive tasks, then he is not in the game going forward. Of course, at 18, he wants to play every minute, but our job is to choose what is best for the team,” said Barbarez.
Selector Sergej Barbarez addressed the BiH representatives as follows. PHOTO: Kevin Sousa/Reuters
Captain Edin Džeko did not play due to injury. According to Barbarez, he was ready for the final ten minutes and should have entered the game, but an injury changed plans Seada Kolašinac. The selector hopes that Džeko will be ready for the next match against Switzerland and that he will be able to help at least in a certain part of the match.
Džeko took to social media after the match. “Let’s move on,” said the captain of the dragons, who had already missed the warm-up matches against North Macedonia and Panama and then the opening match against Canada due to injury. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s next match is on Thursday at 9 p.m., when they will face Switzerland.
