Dragons falter at the very end: USA narrowly defeats BiH

(Patria) - The national football team of the United States of America managed to defeat the selection of Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0 in a friendly match in Los Angeles.

It seemed like we wouldn't see any goals in this test match for the BiH national team composed of players from the Premier League of BiH, but in the 89th minute, America secured the win through Cole Bassett. The Dragons' plans in this match were certainly disrupted by the sending off of Amar Begić in the 40th minute. He received a direct red card for an ill-considered and overly aggressive tackle.

We saw several chances on both sides in the first half, but they were not converted, while the tempo dropped in the second half due to Begić's aforementioned dismissal. All in all, the lads from the Premier League of BiH showed a commendable level of fighting spirit, as well as quality, and made it clear to Petev, despite the defeat that came at the very end, that he should consider them more seriously in the future.

The Dragons kept the ball at their feet at the very start, but it didn't last long, and the Americans began to dominate. They threatened with two crosses from the right side in the 6th and 7th minutes, and Vojnović had to react both times. The first time he did so quite clumsily, but the BiH representatives were lucky.

In the 14th minute, a great chance for the talented Pepi, but he missed the ball from four meters out, again after a cross from the right.

Morris soon tested Ćetković with a clever shot from the side, but the Borac goalkeeper saved it. Then came a counter-attack by the Dragons and a two-on-two situation, but Lukić was selfish and shot poorly.

In the 28th minute, Nukić won a ball near the hosts' goal, but Kessler blocked his attempted pass. In the 30th minute, there was a scramble in front of America's goal, but Barišić's attempt was blocked. Then Nukić threatened with a volley, but Turner caught the ball.

A minute later, young Ćetković distinguished himself in the BiH goal, making a phenomenal save from Morris's header. Then, on the other side, Krpić also headed the ball, but Turner saved it.

At the end of the first half, the Dragons were left with ten men due to the incredible and unnecessary foolishness of Amar Begić, who tackled Acosta with an open sole and was deservedly sent off. He received a direct red card.

This changed the course of the match, and in the second half, the Dragons retreated even further and looked for opportunities on the counter-attack. In the first ten minutes of the second half, they had two dangerous attacks through Nukić and Pidra, but their crosses were too strong.

In the 67th minute, Savić shot after a set-piece, but he was not accurate and sent the ball wide of the goal. The Americans had more possession of the ball, controlled the match, but had no solution for the well-positioned BiH defense, who focused on defending their goal.

BiH defended excellently until the very end of the match, but faltered in the 89th minute when America scored the winning goal. DIzdarević saved one shot then, but pushed the ball in front of him. Bassett ran onto it and sent it into the goal for 1-0.