The 2014 World Cup in Brazil showed the way for the football players of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 12 years later, across the ocean, the "dragons" want to enjoy themselves and take a huge step forward from the energy present in the national team.
Rivals in the group give the chosen ones the right Sergei Barbarez to dream with open eyes and to believe that they can reach the knock-out stage at the World Cup.
The first opponent may not be the toughest on paper, but as one of the organizers, it carries a special weight - BiH opens championship in Toronto against Canada (tonight from 21pm).
And they want their second victory at the World Cup and the biggest tournaments in general (they have not yet participated in the Euros), after defeating Iran in the group stage in 2014 after narrowly losing to Argentina and Nigeria.
There are three legends that connect this generation of BiH - one is a director in the Federation, and the other two are still making their mark on the field.
Edin džeko and at 40 years old he makes a difference, Sead Kolasinac brings experience, although he is no longer so deadly, and the director Emir Spahić, former captain and defender, together with coach Barbarez, shows that even as an operative he can create the right atmosphere within and around the national team. And everyone knows very well how difficult that is in the complicated conditions and society in which football in Bosnia and Herzegovina has long found itself.
The Bosnians went to Canada relieved and highly motivated, and the opponent in the first match is probably ideal. Because Canada, as the host, must feel the pressure, even if it doesn't want to, and must accept that it is at least a slight favorite, and like a cloud over the heads of its national team and coach. Jesse March It is stated that in the six matches so far at the World Cup they have lost the same number of matches. With a goal difference of 2:12.
"Six matches, six losses and two goals conceded - that shows that Canada still does not have a World Cup identity. Can it create one?", is the question posed by Reuters.
EMOTIONAL SERGEJ: I CAN'T WAIT...
Throughout his playing career, Barbarez wanted a lot with the national team, but he didn't succeed - only later did he do something that only football and sports can direct.
He became the coach of the "dragons" at the age of 53, it was his first coaching job in his career, and after going through the classic "Balkan mud" and criticism that mostly had nothing to do with football, he waited for the moment to create something great, just like the famous Safet Pape Susic when he took BiH to the World Cup in Brazil.
BiH eliminated Wales in Cardiff in the semi-finals of the play-off on penalties, and just a few days later in Zenica, they also defeated Italy for a big place in the World Cup.
- What did I tell the players? To enjoy every moment, but also to understand the responsibility they carry when representing their country on the biggest football stage. We didn't come to the World Cup just to participate. We want to compete, to be brave and to show our identity in every game. If we act like that, then there is a chance for something great - said Barbarez.
Bosnians will undoubtedly have great support at the World Cup, especially from the diaspora, as was demonstrated by the friendly match with Panama a few days ago in St. Louis, USA. There were over 20 Bosnians in the stands during the draw (1:1), and it is expected that there will be even more at the World Cup itself...
- We have received enormous support from people all over the world. I know that football cannot solve all problems, but it has a unique power to unite people. If we can contribute even a little to that feeling of unity, then we are proud of what we are doing - said Barbarez.
In addition to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Canada, Group B also includes Switzerland and Qatar. A group in which absolutely everyone sees a chance, but in which the Swiss are definitely the first favorites, due to their quality, experience...
HOW MUCH CAN CANADA DO - DEPENDS ON THREE ACES
March took over as Canada's coach in May 2024, two months later he reached the semi-finals of the Copa America (his debut) and immediately gained sympathy.
Canada is a national team that knows the order, but it also knows without whom this national team can hardly defeat even lower ranked teams.
The absolute leader is Alphonso Davis, Bayern's left back, scored Canada's first goal at the World Cup, but it is known that he will miss tonight's match due to injury. Estimates are that he will play in the group stage, although that is not certain...
Davis is not in doubt if he is ready, and what can be expected from him? Jonathan David, the best scorer in the history of the national team? The former Lille goal scorer had a very bad season at Juventus, but as usual he is always right in the national team jersey - March hopes that it will be the same now, because he is indispensable on the way to the knockout stage.
The third star is a guy who had a phenomenal 12 months at Villarreal, with whom he won a place in the Champions League - he is a winger. Tadžon Bukenan.
Canada has a problem with scoring, having scored only 14 goals in the last 13 matches, but March claims that everything is under control.
- The goals will come, it's important that we play well - said Marč.
Qatar and Switzerland play on Saturday at 21 p.m. in Santa Clara, California.
Probable lineups - Bosnia and Herzegovina (4-4-2): Vasilj - Dedic, Katic, Muharemovic, Kolasinac - Bajraktarevic, Tahirovic, Sunjic, Alajbegovic - Demirovic, Dzeko;
Canada (4-4-2): Kripo - Džonston, De Fugerol, Kornelijus, Laria - Bukenan, Eustakio, Kone, Milar - Dejvid, Larin.
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