Head coach of the national football team of BiH, Mehmed Bazdarevic, announced the list of players for the first match within the qualifications for the World Cup which will be held in Russia in 2018.
We are opening qualifications with the match against Estonia in the framework of the first qualifying round, and the match will take place on the 6th of September at the Stadium Bilino Polje in Zenica.
“This is an important moment for our football because the official campaign for the World Cup in 2018 is about to start. Estonia is a good and tricky opponent. It will not be easy and it is crucial to prepare professionally and responsibly. We must do everything in order for our first step to be firm and strong. We have to be ready for a big fight,” said Bazdarevic.
On the list are three goalkeepers and 23 players. The coach invited four players who are in the list in case someone falls off, and as he says, “it’s easier to write names off than to add them”.
For this match, selector Baždarević invited the following players:
Asmir Begović, Ibrahim Šehić, Jasmin Burić, Ognjen Vranješ, Ermin Bičakčić, Senad Lulić, Emir Spahić, Toni Šunjić, Ervin Zukanović, Marin Aničić, Edin Cocalić, Haris Medunjanin, Mario Vrančić, Danijel Miličević, Haris Duljević, Armin Hodžić, Milan Đurić, Sead Kolašinac, Miralem Pjanić, Edin Višća, Edin Džeko and Vedad Ibišević.
He also invited: Mateo Susic, Gojko Cimirot, Srđan Grahovac and Tomislav Tomic.
The coach said that on the match with Estonia for the coach of goalkeeper he will choose someone who already works in the national teams, while the leaders of the Football Association of BiH will subsequently choose a long-term solution.
Besides Estonia, in our qualifying group H are also Belgium, Greece, Cyprus and Gibraltar.
The official gathering is planned for the 29th of August. The first part of the preparation will be held on Ilidza in the hotel “Hercegovina”, while the second part of preparations will be held in the training center in Zenica.
After the match with Estonia, we will play in the 2nd and 3rd round against Belgium (October 7) and against Cyprus (October 10).
(Source: O. T./Klix.ba)