By Glenn Mason
The Republic of Ireland are potentially just 90 minutes away from qualifying for Euro 2016 and reaching the finals in France would be a dream come true for Robbie Brady.
The 23-year-old had not been born when Ireland qualified for their first two major tournaments at Euro 88 and Italia 90, and was just ten when current captain Robbie Keane starred on the world stage in Japan and South Korea in 2002.
"I can’t wait. These are the best games I have ever experienced and to qualify would be a dream of all of ours and an opportunity that we can’t let slide"
Now, the brightest star of the new generation of Irish internationals is determined to make his own mark on a major tournament.
It was his second half strike that brought the vital away goal as the Ireland secured a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina in foggy Zenica on Friday.
The draw puts Ireland in a strong position going into tomorrow night’s return leg at what is sure to be a sold-out Aviva Stadium.
“I wasn’t really in the game at times but I’m happy with the goal,” said the Dubliner. “Hopefully there’s a lot more to come on Monday night. We’re buzzing for it.
“I can’t wait. These are the best games I have ever experienced and to qualify would be a dream of all of ours and an opportunity that we can’t let slide.
“We’re all raring to go. Monday night we’ll be giving it our all to make sure we do it for everyone involved.”
But there was more than a dose of realism from Brady amid his optimistic post-match outlook.
Bosnia remain a dangerous side and while the attacking threat of Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic was well-known, it was winger Edin Visca who caused Ireland the most problems down the left.
Brady admitted Ireland will have to be tighter on the left side, better on the ball and more positive in attack if they are to book their place at next summer’s tournament.
He said: “We had been watching them and we know they have good players. They tried to get those players on the ball, which was no real surprise to us in the game.
“It was a tough place to come, we knew they had some good players and they like to hold on to the ball at home, but hopefully it will be a different story when they come over to Dublin. Hopefully we can put in a great performance and get a nice win.”
We just have to go there with confidence of scoring and I think we have got the attacking players to do it, but also we have to play smart in other ways. It sets it up for a good second leg overall" - Asmir Begovic
Scoring the fourth goal of his international career was clearly a special and emotional moment for Brady, but it’s unfortunate that many who were there, and thousands more watching on television, did not get a clear view of such a good strike.
The heavy fog that engulfed the Stadion Bilino Polje in the second half added a surreal twist to a lively atmosphere on the night. Visibility was severely limited with players unable to see from one side of the pitch to the other, with Brady describing it as a “strange” sensation.
“When the goalie was kicking it you could sort of half see the ball when it was caught in the floodlights, but you had to wait for it to drop,” he said.
“I had never played in conditions like that, but we need to up it on Monday night. We need to get on the ball a lot more and play our game and bring it to them.”
The man Brady beat for the goal, Asmir Begovic, refused to blame the conditions for being deceived at his near post.
“I could see him once he got the ball, but I didn’t see anything up to it,” said the Chelsea keeper.
“I didn’t see our goal [from Edin Dzeko]. The conditions were tough. I thought maybe it was just some smoke from some fireworks or something. It was pretty thick fog.”
Bosnia controlled the ball for long periods of the game, particularly in the first half, but never seriously troubled Darren Randolph in the Ireland goal, thanks largely to assured displays from the central defensive pairing of Richard Keogh and Ciaran Clark.
Begovic acknowledged that they will have to be sharper in attack in the second leg if they are to get the result they need to go through.
“We had decent possession but we couldn’t quite get it going,” he said. “Obviously we controlled the game, which is pleasing, so we’ll try to fix a couple of things for Monday.
“It was important to respond to Ireland’s goal. We went one nil down and that’s a bit demoralising. 1-1 still gives us a chance.
“We just have to go there with confidence of scoring and I think we have got the attacking players to do it, but also we have to play smart in other ways. It sets it up for a good second leg overall.”
