Cypriot shame: Time for big changes

The national football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina was defeated last night in Nicosia by Cyprus with a score of 3:2, thus reducing the chances for qualifying for the World Cup in Russia next year to a minimum, reports the Patria agency.

Our players were leading 2-0 after the first half with goals from Šunjić and Višća, but in the second half, they resembled complete amateurs, which the Cypriots took advantage of and turned the score in their favor.

The coach of our national team, Mehmed Baždarević, had no valid explanation for the fiasco in the second half after the match.

- Who can explain this? We were lucky to be leading 2-0, and with such an experienced team, it's incomprehensible to lose. For me, this defeat is the hardest in my career. Simply, we didn't know what to do. It was like playing against the world champions. It was very difficult to say anything, except that I am disappointed and we deserve all the worst criticism - said Baždarević, adding:

- We are all responsible for what happened. This is about the national emblem, I am the first one responsible. We had everything in our hands. We played like amateurs.

He emphasized that he and the rest of the team did not do the job they were paid for.

- We did not do our job. Our national team remains in the race for the playoffs, but with such play and behavior, we do not deserve to be there. I repeat, I am disappointed. I regret that we experienced what we experienced tonight. It was hard to say anything more. We did not do the job we were paid for. We did not play for the jersey we wear. Were we afraid of winning, why everything was blocked, I don't know. I didn't even think something like this could happen - said Baždarević.

The first to apologize to the fans for the shame against Cyprus was the scorer of the leading goal in Nicosia, Toni Šunjić.

- I would like to apologize to all BiH fans. I don't know what happened. Obviously, we thought that after the first half everything was over, as if only one half was played. When things go downhill, it's hard to get back. We didn't deserve to win, and that's it. But as long as there is a chance, we will not give up and we will fight for qualification for the World Cup - Šunjić said via Facebook.

The captain of our national team, Edin Džeko, also apologized to the BiH fans for the defeat against Cyprus.

- I apologize to the fans, they did not deserve what they saw tonight. We agreed at halftime, after leading 2-0, not to let them get close to the goal, but simply with this kind of attitude, it was only a matter of time before they scored. Cyprus deservedly won in the end, and we should all be ashamed, from the first to the last, and seriously reflect - said the captain of the BiH national team.

Ermin Bičakčić described the shameful play and approach against Cyprus as a catastrophe.

- Catastrophe, I have no words for what happened. I can't believe we lost the match after leading 2-0 - said Bičakčić.

The portal Sportske.ba writes that harsh words were exchanged in the dressing room of the Dragons after the unprecedented debacle. Some blamed the coach for exhibitionism with the lineup, some looked at each other askance, blaming each other for the embarrassment.

- I've been with the national team for a long time, but I don't remember a more agonizing atmosphere in the dressing room. I couldn't wait to get out - one of our national team players told Sportske.

The former coach of our national team, Miroslav Ćiro Blažević, also commented after the defeat against Cyprus. He does not hide that he is not on good terms with the current president of the NSBiH, Elvedin Begić. He also does not like coach Mehmed Baždarević.

- Who is to blame when you allowed these people to lead you. I wanted to help. As an advisor or on the bench, but Begić didn't want me. He played around me when he needed it. It's a shame that so many millions of euros were lost due to not qualifying for the European and World Championships. If they want to help BiH sports further, they should leave tonight. Begić, leave, and take Meša with you. You are doing something you don't know how to do - said Ćiro.

After the debacle against Cyprus, our national team still has theoretical chances to qualify for the World Cup, but for that, a large number of results in other matches need to align, and our players need to win all remaining games.

Many agree that the time has come for some changes in the national team. There are many older players who are currently far from their former form and who are playing based on past merits.

It is time to give opportunities to some new guys and to build a different national team that will not disgrace itself against Cyprus.

Losing is not shameful, but playing like against Cyprus is shameful. And an unprecedented shame at that.