Young BiH team plays decisive match against Portugal for EP qualification

FUNCHAL, (Patria) - The young national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina will play the last match of Group 8 qualifiers for the 2019 European Championship tonight at 8 PM at the "Maritimo" stadium in Funchal against Portugal.

Only a victory will suffice for our players to qualify for the European Championship.

The coach of the BiH team, Vinko Marinović, emphasizes that the team has worked well during the preparation period.

- We had excellent working conditions at our Training Centre in Zenica. We implemented everything we planned and can be satisfied with the way the players fulfilled their obligations. Tonight, we will have another training session here in Funchal and we are ready to face the match.

Marinović also commented on the Portuguese selection.

- They are a truly excellent team, composed of players who play in strong leagues. Before the start of the qualifiers, they were considered the absolute favorites in this group and they truly have top individuals. However, we have a match ahead of us that holds great significance for both teams. We have prepared as best as we could, and tomorrow we will see if it is enough. What is certain is that we all must give more than our maximum to achieve a positive result.

The youth teams of BiH and Portugal have only met once before, in these qualifiers, when our team achieved a 3:1 victory in Zenica.

Both teams are playing in similar form, having achieved 4 wins and one loss in their last five matches.

Vinko Marinović's protégés, after two victories against Wales, celebrated away in Liechtenstein and at home against Switzerland, while their only loss was in their last encounter in Romania.

Portugal was better than Liechtenstein at home and Switzerland away, after which their winning streak was broken by Romania with a 2:1 victory in Pacos de Ferreira. In their last two matches, the Portuguese recorded away wins against Wales and Liechtenstein.

The match between Portugal and Bosnia and Herzegovina will be officiated by a refereeing quartet from England. The main referee is Paul Tierney, assisted by Harry Lennard and Daniel Robathan. The fourth official is Simon Hooper.