Bosnia and Herzegovina played a weak first half, which the Slovaks took advantage of and gained a two-goal advantage after the first 45 minutes. Slovakia threatened for the first time in the 4th minute, when David Hansko shot over the goal from a free kick from 25 meters. Nine minutes later, the Slovaks took the lead. Robert Mak entered the middle from the left side, our defence was too late to get into the “block”, which the experienced footballer took advantage of and beat Ibrahim Šehić with a shot from 20 meters. Slovaks doubled their lead in the 40th minute. Again, the defence of “Dragons” made several mistakes in a row and allowed Lukaš Haraslin to hit the net of Ibrahim Šehić on a pass from Robert Polievka.
Our national team started more offensive from the very beginning of the second half, the result of which was an opportunity for Smail Prevljak in the 48th minute, whose good shot from about 15 meters was defended by the goalkeeper of Slovakia. Ermedin Demirović had a great opportunity in the 66th minute, who after Amar Dedić’s cross from the right, headed wide of the goal from the “five-meter”. In the 73rd, Peter Pekarik tried a shot from over 30 meters, but Ibrahim Šehić intervened well. Three minutes later, Tomaš Suslov missed an empty goal from a few meters after Lukaš Haraslin’s cross.
In the other matches of Group J, Iceland and Portugal achieved away victories. The Icelanders defeated Liechtenstein with a convincing 7:0, while Portugal also convincingly celebrated a 6:0 victory against Luxembourg.
After two rounds played, the first place in the table is taken by Portugal with 6 points. Followed by Slovakia with 4, and Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland with 3 points each. At the back are Luxembourg with one point and Liechtenstein with no points.
The qualification for the European Championship in Germany in 2024 continues in June, when Bosnia and Herzegovina first visits Portugal (17th June) and then welcomes Luxembourg (20th June).
