FIFA appear determined to ensure that Portugal, and in particular Cristiano Ronaldo, are part of next year’s World Cup in South Africa, but Bosnia-Herzegovina are by no easy-beats and will certainly not be overawed by their high-profile opponents.
Most of the Portuguese build-up to Saturday’s first leg has concerned Ronaldo and his battle to overcome an ankle injury in time to feature. Coach Carlos Quieroz had initially insisted that the 24-year-old would start the game in Lisbon, despite Real Madrid’s claims that he was still a fortnight away from full fitness. Late this week, however, the Portuguese Football Federation finally conceded that the world’s most expensive player would in fact not feature in either leg of the qualifying play-off.
On a brighter note for the home side, full-back Miguel, striker Hugo Almeida and centre-back Ricardo Costa have all returned to full fitness, while Chelsea quartet Hilario, Paulo Ferreira, Deco and Ricardo Carvalho are also included in the squad.
Bosnia-Herzegovina, meanwhile, appear more than happy to continue to fly under the radar just as they did in their group. Unfancied at the start of qualifying, they saw off both Turkey and Belgium to finish second to group winners Spain and provided plenty of entertainment by firing home an impressive 25 goals along the way. Edin Dzeko contributed no fewer than nine of those goals and the Wolfsburg front man has been singled out by Carlos Queiroz as posing the biggest threat to his side’s qualification hopes. Providing the ammunition for the prolific Dzeko will be his club team-mate, versatile midfielder Zvjezdan Misimovic, who is enjoying another fine season with the reigning Bundesliga champions.
Portugal will inevitably start as strong favourites, but they made hard work of finishing second in what was not an especially strong group and will be under intense pressure to gain a win in Lisbon. They may just have enough quality to do that, but don’t be surprised if the visitors grab a goal themselves to set up a tense second-leg in front of a partisan crowd in Zenica next week.
Prediction: Portugal 2-1 Bosnia Herzegovina
