Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Rep. of Ireland: Winners, Losers from Euro 2016 Play-off
Republic of Ireland hold the advantage after claiming a 1-1 draw at Bosnia and Herzegovina in the two teams' UEFA Euro 2016 play-off first leg on Friday night in Zenica.
The two sides created few chances, especially in a second half in which the pitch was shrouded in a thick fog. But the match came to life in the closing moments as Robbie Brady fired Ireland into an 82nd-minute lead, only for Edin Dzeko to equalize three minutes later.
"It was very foggy out there, especially in the second half. But it was the same for both teams," Republic of Ireland defender Ciaran Clark told BBC Sport. That's half the tie done, and we've got to get ready for Monday."
With the away goal, Ireland need only a scoreless draw in Monday's second leg in order to advance to Euro 2016.
Here, Bleacher Report selects winners and losers from the match.
Loser: Playing Conditions
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When the teams re-emerged from their dressing rooms for the second half, they found a pitch shrouded in fog. On television, the playing surface was nearly invisible.
On the pitch, the conditions couldn't have been much better. The teams struggled for cohesion for most of the second half, creating few chances until each scored a late goal.
The fog was so impenetrable that the TV feed used unconventional angles—including several from pitch-level—to better show the action. Several observers captured the scene with photos posted to Twitter. Notably, BBC Sport shared correspondent Conor McNamara's view. McNamara was reporting from the stadium.
"Anyone watching Bosnia-Ireland is basically listening to a radio, because we have no clue what's going on," tweeted Sportsnet's Peter Galindo.
The conditions threatened to turn the match into a farce, but the result will suit Republic of Ireland just fine. Martin O'Neill's men will now carry an away goal into Monday's first leg, which will be played on home soil.
That means Ireland need only a scoreless draw to advance. Will it be enough? We can't know for sure, but it's almost certain the conditions will be better on Monday in Dublin.
Winner: Robbie Brady
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Robbie Brady scored the opener in the 82nd minute, briefly giving the Irish hope that they would win the game. Edin Dzeko's late equalizer pegged the visitors back, but Brady will be happy with his finish.
After running onto a pass down the right flank, Brady cut inside and hit a low drive past the goalkeeper at the near post. Perhaps in better conditions, the shot would have been saved, but Brady knew that in such dense fog, any shot was likely to cause trouble.
Brady, 23, now has four goals in his senior international career. If Ireland qualify for Euro 2016, none will be more important than Friday's.
Loser: Ireland's Defending on the Left
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Although Ireland will be the happier side after Friday's result, manager Martin O'Neill has at least one issue to address before Monday's second leg.
Throughout the match, Bosnia attacked dangerously down their right flank. Ireland's left side, manned by Robbie Brady and Stephen Ward, struggled to contain Bosnia's Edin Visca, who served up a series of dangerous crosses.
Late in the match, with Ireland holding a precious 1-0 lead, Bosnia equalized following yet another attack down the right. Milan Djuric ran past substitute James McClean to latch onto a pass and then crossed into the middle for Edin Dzeko, who swept in from close range.
Ireland failed to deal with Bosnia's right-sided attackers throughout the game, and it made the difference between a victory and a draw.
Winner: Darren Randolph
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Friday's match did not produce an abundance of chances, but when the Republic of Ireland needed Darren Randolph, the goalkeeper stood tall.
In the 60th minute, with the game still scoreless, Bosnia had a golden chance to take the lead after a failed clearance bounced invitingly to Senad Lulic in Ireland's box. Lulic had only Randolph to beat, but the Irish goalkeeper made himself big to keep out the Bosnian's shot from a tight angle.
The save kept the match scoreless at the time, and considering the final scoreline, it could prove crucial to Ireland's chances of advancing to Euro 2016.
Winner: Republic of Ireland
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It wasn't a pretty performance, and after conceding a late equalizer, Republic of Ireland might look at this as two points lost. But before kickoff, manager Martin O'Neill would have taken a draw—especially a score-draw.
That Ireland scored a goal away from home means that a scoreless draw in Dublin on Monday will be enough to see the Irish through to Euro 2016. In the final analysis, that's all that matters.
In that second leg, O'Neill will have some key players returning to the squad, as BBC Sport noted:
"Republic manager Martin O'Neill will hope the possible return of Shane Long, Jon Walters and John O'Shea will give them impetus for the Dublin contest.
Southampton striker Long may be available again after injury while O'Neill may also welcome back the influential O'Shea and Walters after suspension.
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The job is not done yet, but Republic of Ireland are on the verge.
