Both countries will meet on Wednesday evening as the second leg of this play-off tie takes place in Zenica.
Bosnia Herzegovina analysis
There will be much pressure, much anxiety, and much expectations although many may believe that this small nation have nothing to lose against the 2004 European runners-up and the 2006 World Cup semi-finalists Portugal.
Bosnia Herzegovina always came as second best against the Portuguese in Lisbon last Saturday and their lack of dominance was punished by Bruno Alves’ first half back post header.
More luck might have sent three of Bosnia’s balls into the back of net instead of sending them off the woodwork and such a thing would have earned Bosnia Herzegovina a valuable win in Lisbon.
This didn’t happen though, but the visitors on Saturday also escaped the misery of a Portuguese goal-feast.
Considering Portugal’s dominance on the field, Bosnia could have conceded more damage and although a defeat never comes as a good result, a 1-0 deficit is sometimes not that difficult to turn around.
For Bosnia Herzegovina, the biggest desire on Wednesday will be to keep their lines clean. However, to achieve such a thing, they’ll need to regroup, reorganize, and play more as a team in order to destabilize Portugal’s flow.
What might make things difficult for Bosnia is the fact that their influential midfielder, Elver Rahimic, will not take part in the second leg on Wednesday.
The CSKA Moscow player was the main man holding off Portugal from cruising through Bosnia’s midfield and multiply their attacks.
Without him, there will be more expectations on Edin Dzeko and Muslimovic to find the right touch in front of goal. The pair was denied from celebrating on Portugal’s turf on Saturday as their shots on goal failed to disappoint Portugal’s goalkeeper Eduardo.
Portugal analysis
Portugal know that a goalless draw will be enough to send them through to the finals of the World Cup in South Africa. However, Carlos Queiros will be keen to go in for another victory knowing that Bosnia Herzegovina could pull out an upset with a couple of goals.
Thanks to Bruno Alves’ lone goal in the first leg last Saturday, Portugal have found more control and relief going into the second leg this week.
Keeping a clean sheet against Bosnia in Lisbon was important for the Portuguese but the final match on Wednesday will only explain how necessary it was to win by a single goal to nil and how much of a relief there will be after being so wasteful on home soil.
However, once Portugal manage to find the net in Bosnia, the pressure will ease on them as even a 2-1 defeat will send them through to South Africa 2010.
