Austria takes full spoils from packed Bilino Polje

(Patria) - The national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina was defeated tonight at the packed Bilino Polje in Zenica by the selection of Austria with a score of 1:2 in the fifth round of World Cup qualifiers.

This was the Dragons' first defeat in five matches played so far in Group H. Austria now has 12 points, as does Bosnia and Herzegovina, with one game less.

Bosnia and Herzegovina started tonight's match with the following lineup: Vasilj, Dedić, Katić, Muharemović, Mujakić, Tahirović, Šunjić, Gigović, Memić, Demirović, and Džeko.

There were numerous changes compared to the match against San Marino on Saturday, and coach Barbarez decided to field a completely new defensive line, writes Faktor.



After a quiet period of probing in the start of the match, the Austrians threatened first in the 24th minute. Alaba delivered a free kick behind the BiH defense, a player returned the ball, and Lienhart shot over the goal from a scramble.

Immediately after, Gigović tried to threaten Austria's goal in a similar way, but was inaccurate.

In the 38th minute, Tahirović crossed, Džeko was in the six-yard box, tried a backheel, but failed.
Gregoritsch escaped the BiH defense in the 41st minute, shot immediately, but was blocked.



Austria took the lead in the 49th minute. Sabitzer scored after the ball bounced directly to his feet.

Just a minute later, Bilino Polje erupted. Demirović received the ball on the right side, crossed, and Džeko scored past Schlager from the six-yard box.



In the 57th minute, Dedić left the game due to injury, replaced by Gazibegović.

Three minutes later, the BiH defense cracked on the right side, but Sabitzer, fortunately, decided to cross the ball into the six-yard box instead of shooting, so the Austrian chance was missed.

In the 63rd minute, Gigović and Mujakić broke through on the left flank, Mujakić crossed, the ball reached Džeko who tried with his left foot, but was inaccurate.



Austria took the lead again in the 65th minute. Arnautović shot, the ball deflected to Laimer, who scored past Vasilj from close range. BiH fans hoped Laimer was offside, but everything was clear.

Barbarez made a triple substitution in the 72nd minute. Tahirović, Gigović, and Memić came off, and Bajraktarević, Bašić, and Alajbegović came on.

Bajraktarević crossed in the 73rd minute, Katić laid the ball into the six-yard box, and Demirović was too late.



Baždar also got a chance to play five minutes before the end when he replaced Mujakić, but the visitors routinely closed off all approaches to their goal.

Deep into stoppage time, Austria was reduced to ten men after Wimmer's expulsion. However, this did not affect the balance of power on the field, as Spanish referee Jesus Jil Manzano soon signaled the end of the match.

The Dragons continue their qualifiers with a match against Cyprus on October 9th. Three days later, they will play a friendly match against Malta.



They finish the qualifiers in November with matches against Romania in Zenica (November 15th) and Austria in Vienna (November 18th).

Only the first-placed team in the group will directly qualify for the World Cup, while the second-placed team will play in the play-offs.