Edin Dzeko’s public revolt against Bosnia that threatened to derail World Cup play-off hopes
Edin Dzeko will lead the line for Bosnia and Herzegovina against Wales with both teams aiming to keep alive their World Cup hopes
Edin Dzeko has been vocal during Bosnia and Herzegovina’s World Cup qualifying campaign(Image: Danil Shamkin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
When Wales take on Bosnia and Herzegovina in their World Cup play-off semi-final, their opponents’ captain Edin Dzeko will be battling for what is surely his final chance to play at a major tournament.
Dzeko, 40, will captain his country at Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday night. However, there was a point during the qualifying campaign when he risked the ire of his country’s federation with strong comments about fan access.
Heading into a November double-header against Romania and Austria, Bosnia knew two wins could see them qualify directly while a strong showing would seal a play-off spot. In the lead-up to the home meeting with Romania, though, there was drama around the inability of two fan groups to purchase tickets for the game in Zenica.
BHFanaticos and Ljuti Krajišnica were both blocked from buying tickets by the country’s FA. This caused Dzeko to step in, calling for the decision to be reversed.
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“On behalf of my teammates and on my own behalf, I DEMAND the Federation to reconsider its decision and, as before, to provide tickets for fan groups that have been cheering on the BiH national team for years!” the former Manchester City striker wrote on social media.
“With loyal fan support from the stands, which we really need at this important moment for the national team, the players will do their best on the field to achieve a favourable result! We are all going to defend the colours of our homeland on our front.”
Schalke star Dzeko now has Wales in his sights(Image: Ralf Ibing – firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
When kick-off came against Romania, more than 11,000 fans were in attendance at the 15,000-capacity Bilino Polje Stadium. At half-time, though, a Daniel Birligea goal had the visitors in front and left Dzeko and his team-mates with work to do.
The skipper led by example, though, bringing his team level less than five minutes after the restart. Esmir Bajraktarevic fired Bosnia-Herzegovina in front with 11 minutes remaining but the points weren’t safe until Haris Tabakovic added a third in stoppage time.
Tabakovic struck again in the final group match in Vienna, leaving Sergej Barbarez’s team on the verge of a World Cup spot. However, a second-half equaliser from Michael Gregoritsch meant it was Austria who went through as group winners.
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Dzeko was part of the squad in 2014, the only previous time Bosnia-Herzegovina have qualified for a World Cup. Sead Kolasinac is the only other member of that group who is in the squad to face Wales on Thursday.
A Premier League champion with Manchester City in 2012 and 2014, Dzeko spent a decade in Italy and Turkey after leaving the Etihad Stadium. He moved to current club Schalke in January and has scored six goals in eight matches for the 2. Bundesliga leaders.
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