We can say with certainty that Bosnia and Herzegovina will have its representative at the FIFA World Cup in Russia. Japanese coach Vahid Halilhodžić took the “Land of the Exit Sun” to the Mundial and, as he told us, he fulfilled one goal. Now there is another one to help Bosnia and Herzegovina as a supporter to reach Russia, which, as the popular Vaha said, would be an incredible success for our country:

“I believe we can win Belgium, but this is not enough for the Mundial. We will also have the play-off matches. I believe there is a huge desire. We are known by the grudge, that is when they write us off, we play as lions, and we show defiance and strength. The most important thing is a motive and the approach to the game; and if we have that, I believe in victory. We have a quality. We will miss Pjanić, but someone who replaces him must show that he is worth a national team. Remember the Kirin Cup in Japan. BH came with a reserve squad and won both Denmark and my Japan. The guys had a motive and a strong wish to win. I hope it will be the same this time, even though Belgium is one of the best teams in the world.”

Vaha himself says that Belgium is one of the best teams in the world. How to resist them:

“The discipline in the game is the most important thing, of course, with the maximum engagement of the players in all 90 minutes. They are a dangerous team composed of strong players who play in the best European clubs. It is possible that they will let us in the initiative and we must not fall into the trap and forget the defence. It will be very important how we will tactically play, how we will look at their important leverage, whether we will press them, get the middle of the field, close the wings, how we will move ... I’m sure that Mehmed Baždarević knows how to play, but it is important that the players implement all the coach's ideas into action. It is important how they will approach the game and whether they can be concentrated in all 90 minutes.”

Halilhodžić is aware of the pressure of the players and the technical staff, because he himself was in a similar situation before the match with Australia, which decided on a Mundial traveller:

“It's a very important to have a good spirit in the dressing room, that the players are relaxed enough, but again under one pressure that will be positive. Football will be played after Belgium, that's probably clear. It is not the end of the world if you lose. It is clear that the victory will be sounded positively, that it would give energy and swing to the team and the head coach; the public will pleasantly welcome a positive result especially. Players need to be left alone in this situation, that they have no external influence, that they can think of an opponent. This is not a match which will decide about direct qualification to the FIFA World Cup, but it is important because it gives hope that you can pass to the play-off with the victory.”

Do we have the advantage or disadvantage of playing at Grbavica?

“Grbavica is a nice stadium, where you feel the atmosphere; the stands are close to the field. When you remember who played here, you are cowered. I love Grbavica because it’s a real football stadium. The players used to play in Zenica surely, but I think it is important to feel the energy from the stands. Džeko started his career here, he certainly has a motive to score and win at his stadium. You play in a new ambience; you have the motive to succeed. I believe that the Grbavica Stadium will cause positive vibrations in players. The players should not think about whether the spectators will whistle them. They should know that, if they fight and leave their hearts on the field, the spectators will recognize it and they will reward them with applause, regardless of the result. It’s so everywhere in the world and also at Grbavica. Let the players provide their maximum and then they will be rewarded with happiness. I am an optimist and I believe that we can win with all that I said before.”