Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill was left bemoaning his side’s late concession of a goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their Euro 2016 play-off first leg but was overall pleased with the Irish display on a foggy night in Zenica.
Ireland took the lead with ten minutes to go when Robbie Brady finished off a neat breakaway move when he smartly finished at the near post.
However the sides were back level five minutes later as Edin Dzeko fired past Darren Randolph in the Irish goal from close range.
Ireland will go into the Monday’s second leg at the Aviva as favourites thanks to their away goal but O’Neill admits that it could have been even better for his side,
“It’s still alive and obviously the goal has helped greatly but the concession of the goal towards the end has just put a dampener on things,” the Irish boss told RTÉ Sport.
“The pitch was very, very lively tonight but we tried to cope with as best we could and cope with the opposition at the same time, so we’re still fighting.”
Ireland’s result away from home is all the more impressive when you take into account the number of injuries and suspension that ruled out key players, but O’Neill insisted that he always had faith that those who came in would step up.
“I’m naturally delighted with the side, but I’ve been delighted with the side since I come in,” he said. “I know that the commitment and attitude has been fantastic.
“We might lack certain things at the end of the day but enthusiasm, drive and determination, all those things are there. We’ve got a battle on still on Monday night and I think the players are ready for it.”
The Irish boss admitted that he didn’t see Brady’s goal as a thick fog enveloped the pitch and at times seemed to reduce visibility to a couple of yards.
When asked what he say of the goal, O’Neill replied: “The answer is not a great deal. I was concerned at one stage in the second half just in case the game might be called of because of the fog.
“The linesman on our side said he could see things clearly which was news to me at the time but Robbie Brady has done brilliantly to score the goal and just for a few minutes give us real hope.
“I’m disappointed naturally (to have conceded) but defensively we were very strong. The two centre-backs were excellent tonight, among a number of excellent performances and we’ve something to go for on Monday night.
“We’re still in the tie, that’s the most important thing.”
