A new beginning for Bosnian football: On this day 20 years ago, Bosnia and Herzegovina played Brazil

On this day, 18 December 1996, the senior football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina played a friendly match against one of the best football teams in the world, Brazil. For some, it was the beginning of sporting life in Bosnia and Herzegovina, after the country emerged devastated from the four-year defensive-liberation war, Patria reports.

Brazil won the match 1:0, but the Bosnian players showed themselves in a good light.

The match was played in Manaus, watched by around 20,000 spectators. The only goal of the match was scored by the famous Ronaldo, who found the back of the Bosnian net in the 67th minute.

The Brazil team featured:

Zetti, Cafu, Goncalves, Cruz, Roberto II (Junior II 73,), Conceicao (Ricardinho I 46.), Leandro, Denilson III, Djalminha (Rodrigo II 73.), Giovanni (Oseas 77.), Ronaldinho.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina team featured:

Dedić, Geca, Pintul, Ramčić, Kapetanović, Glavaš (Dadić 78.), Begic (Musić 62.), Beširević, Šabić (Turković 70.), Bolić, Salihamidžić (Osmić 78.).

The head coach of the Bosnian team was Fuad Muzurović, Patria reports.