CYPRUS FALLS Zmajevi in Zenica for a second World Cup qualifying victory!

(Patria) - The Bosnia and Herzegovina national team recorded their second victory in the qualifiers for the World Cup to be played next year tonight.

After Romania in Bucharest in the first round (1:0), the Zmajevi defeated the national team of Cyprus 2:1 tonight at "Bilino polje" in Zenica in the second round of qualifiers.

The goalscorers for BiH were Demirović in the 22nd minute and Hajradinović in the 56th minute. The honorary goal for the Cypriots was scored by Pittas in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.


Photo: Patria

Coach Sergej Barbarez's team thus confirmed their first-round triumph tonight in front of their home fans and, with a maximum of six points, took the top spot in Group H.


Group H Standings

The Zmajevi started strongly, and as early as the 4th minute, Dedić was late to a pass from Hajradinović behind the Cypriot defense.

Three minutes later, Malić set up Demirović, but goalkeeper Mall, with the help of the post, cleared the ball for a corner.

Then the visitors woke up. In the 11th minute, Kakoulli shot over the goal from an angle on the left side. A minute later, the Cypriot striker was late at the far post after a cross from Loizou.

Loizou then hit the outside of the net from about twenty meters.

And just during the visitors' attacks, the Zmajevi took the lead. Hajradinović crossed from the left, and Demirović met the ball at the far post and sent it into the opposite corner of the Cypriot goal.

After half an hour of play, Tahirović saved our goal with a timely tackle, while Pittas in the 45th minute failed to capitalize on a mistake by Radeljić and shot over the goal.


Photo: Patria

However, the Cypriots equalized in the second minute of stoppage time, a goal that can be considered fully deserved. After a corner, Pittas took advantage of the confusion of goalkeeper Vasilj and the defense to score for 1:1.

The Zmajevi took the lead again in the 56th minute. Malić played to Baždara, Demirović was short, the ball rebounded to Hajradinović, who found the back of the net.

After an hour of play, the visitors' net was shaken again, Demirović scored, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

In the 67th minute, Demirović hit the post with a header after a corner. This time, luck was on the Cypriots' side.

About ten minutes later, Hajradinović tried a shot from the center after a mistake by the visiting goalkeeper, who managed to correct his error.

There were no further changes to the score, and the match ended BiH - Cyprus 2:1. It should also be noted that the scorer of the goal for the Cypriots in stoppage time received a red card.

In the next two rounds, the Zmajevi will play against the amateur selection of San Marino, and it is quite realistic to expect them to have a perfect record and 12 points after four qualifying matches.