In the first 15 minutes, the visiting team created several promising chances, but Mladen Jurkas’s net stayed untouched. The best opportunity came from Mats Rots, who hit the post from a free kick taken from 20 meters out on the left. That action was followed by a spell of Dutch possession, but without any clear-cut chances. Worth noting was Thom Van Bergen’s effort in the 40’, which went wide from 7–8 meters.

In the 48’, Ro-Zangelo Daal crossed from the left and Van Bergen headed wide. Two minutes later, Daal struck strongly from 17 meters, but the crossbar denied him. The Netherlands had better possession and field control until the end, but our team defended well.

After the match, head coach Branislav Krunić said: “We knew we were up against a team that’s faster and technically stronger than us. That’s why we tried to limit their space, and we succeeded. They had possession and tried, as they usually do, to draw the opponent out and create space. We didn’t let them. They had a few long-range attempts and some situations where we maybe had a bit of luck. Jurkas was excellent on several occasions, and everyone gave their best, they truly deserve praise for what they showed today. We played with tactical maturity and the team showed character. We can definitely be very satisfied with a point against such a quality team.”

In the other match in our group, Israel and Slovenia drew 1:1. Norway and Israel lead the table with 3 points each. BiH and the Netherlands have 2, while Slovenia has 1.

Our U-21 team will depart for Koper on Tuesday, October 14 to face Slovenia (18:00).

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Netherlands 0:0

Venue: Stadium Grbavica, Sarajevo

Referees: Szabolcs Kovacs, Marius Florin Badea, Adrian Vornicu, Marcel Birsan (all from Romania)

Yellow cards: Mustafić, Jurkas (BiH), Schreuders (Netherlands)

BiH lineup: Mladen Jurkas, Filip Taraba, Amar Ibrišimović, Anes Krdžalić, Muhamed Buljubašić (81’ Niko Kovač), Aldin Mešić (67’ Aleksandar Kahvić), Emin Kujović, Haris Berbić, Albin Omić, Nedim Keranović (88’ Nidal Čelik), Senad Mustafić / Head coach: Branislav Krunić

Netherlands lineup: Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro, Givairo Read, Wouter Goes, Thijmen Blokzijl, Mats Rots, Antoni Milambo (46’ Jorg Schreuders), Jayden Addai (22’ Ro-Zangelo Daal), Ezechiel Banzuzi (81’ Isaac Babadi), Thom Van Bergen (61’ Don-Angelo Konadu), Kees Smit, Ernest Poku (81’ Jaden Slory) / Head coach: Michael Reiziger