Portugal among final four qualifiers

Portugal among final four qualifiers


The final four places at UEFA EURO 2012 have been decided after Croatia, Czech Republic, Portugal and Republic of Ireland all came out triumphant following their play-off second legs to ensure they will travel to Poland and Ukraine next year.

Portugal were forced to dig deep by Bosnia-Herzegovina, while the Croats, Czechs and Irish were all big winners in the first legs on Friday night and each consolidated their lead in the return, with little sign of a miraculous comeback from any of their opponents. FIFA.com reviews the final, vital, qualifiers.

The big game
Portugal 6-2 Bosnia-Herzegovina
These two sides know each other well, having met in the play-offs for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, when Portugal won both legs 1-0. Bosnia-Herzegovina have made terrific strides since then, however, and came mighty close to toppling France and grabbing first place during the group stages. A scrappy first leg, played on a difficult surface, ended 0-0 and left the tie completely in the balance for this return meeting in Lisbon and it did not disappoint.

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo gave his country the lead with just eight minutes played and the advantage was quickly doubled by fellow forward Nani 15 minutes later. The Bosnians are nothing if not tenacious, though, and they equalised from the penalty spot shortly before half-time, Zvjezdan Misimovic converting after Fabio Coentrao was penalised for handball. When Ronaldo bagged his second and the hosts’ third, just a minute before Senad Lulic was dismissed for two quickfire bookings, it looked all over for Safet Susic’s men. But back they came, captain Emir Spahic again reducing their arrears to a single goal. Portugal refused to give it up, however, and a brace from Helder Postiga sandwiched a Miguel Veloso strike to finally ensure Portugal’s place at EURO 2012.

The other matches
Croatia 0-0 Turkey
Slaven Bilic’s side were imperious in Turkey last week and so emphatic was their 3-0 away win that they merely had to avoid any mistakes in the home leg. The Turks, who entertained greatly during their run to the semi-finals in 2008, faced a mountain to climb but never really looked like reducing their deficit in Zagreb despite hitting the post. A goalless stalemate was enough to qualify Croatia for the continental tournament for the third consecutive edition, while Turkey coach Guus Hiddink suffered play-off heartbreak again following Russia’s exit in the South Africa preliminaries.

Montenegro 0-1 Czech Republic
Goal: Petr Jiracek (81)
Czech Republic held a solid advantage coming into their second leg with Montenegro, who had pushed England so close during the group stage. The Three Lions found the going difficult when they travelled to Podgorica and Montenegro were hoping a frenzied atmosphere could spur the side on to another surprise result. But the hosts failed to match their previous exertions despite piling on pressure throughout the game, with a late goal for the visitors from Petr Jiracek adding to the two secured in Prague on Friday. After finishing second behind Spain and holding off Scotland before the play-offs, Michal Bilek’s transitional side can now make plans in earnest for next summer.

Republic of Ireland 1–1 Estonia
Goals: Stephen Ward (31), Konstantin Vassiljev (57)
It is typical of a Republic of Ireland fan’s cautious approach to their national team that many refused to believe that their tie with Estonia was done and dusted before tonight, despite the boys in green having outclassed their opponents 4-0 on Friday. Manager Giovanni Trapattoni was equally measured in the build-up to the match, insisting that there was still work to be done at the Aviva Stadium. However, an early goal from Stephen Ward calmed even the most pessimistic of supporters and the Irish could begin a party which they will keep going up to and throughout the tournament. A second-half consolation from Konstantin Vassiljev was probably the least the visitors deserved after a hard-fought and inspiring qualification campaign, but it is the Irish and their Italian manager who will add some extra fun to proceedings when the finals kick off.