The Republic of Ireland have been handed a difficult task in the Euro 2016 play-offs, after being drawn against dangerous Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Martin O’Neill’s side finished third place in a group also containing Germany and Poland. Bosnia finished behind Belgium and Wales in Group B. However, they look like they could be tough opponents for the Irish.
The Republic of Ireland does not have a great record in play-offs for the major tournaments, having lost five out of the seven play-off encounters. Ireland may hold a slight advantage over Bosnia in the fact that the second leg is in Dublin.
Bosnia has a sprinkling of players plying their trade at the top level of European football. Their most notably players are Chelsea ‘keeper Asmir Begovic, striker Edin Dzeko who is currently on-loan at Roma from Manchester City and attacking midfielder Miralem Pjanic, who is also at the Giallorossi.
Bosnia and Herzegovina have never qualified for a European Championships. However, the Balkan nation did qualify for last year’s World Cup, which was there first as an independent state.
Qualification for Euro 2016 will certainly not be easy for Martin O’Neill’s men and they will no doubt be counting the cost of points dropped in their group.
Will the Republic of Ireland qualify for Euro 2016?
