A free kick by Richard Keogh is cleared away under pressure. A late surge by McClean sees Sunjic concede a free kick.
90' +3
The ball is virtually invisible now as McGeady takes a throw-in, and Ireland win a free kick much to the chagrin of the home crowd.
90' +2
Free kick for Bosnia-Herzegovina following a foul by Djuric comes to nothing as Coleman shepherds the loose ball out of play.
90' +1
The assistant referee has indicated four additional minutes for Martin O'Neill's men to hold on.
90'
The Bosnians will be buoyed by their rapid fire equaliser as we enter the final minute. Can Ireland hold on for what would be a vital away result?
88'
Well, what a great response from Bosnia-Herzegovina. They have brought off Lulic and brought on Hajrovic. Ireland bring off Robbie Brady for another winger, Aidan McGeady.
87'
I. Hajrović enters the game and replaces S. Lulić.
86'
A. McGeady enters the game and replaces R. Brady.
85'
E. Džeko has scored a goal for Bosnia-Herzegovina! Assist by O. Vranješ.
GOAL! Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-1 Republic of Ireland. Equaliser for Bosnia-Herzegovina from Edin Dzeko, following great work down the right from Vranjes!
82'
R. Brady has scored a goal for Republic of Ireland!
Absolutely lovely effort from the Norwich City midfielder. The Bosnian defence seemed to expect him to pass inside, he had made his way to the edge of the area, turned his man, and unleashed a low unstoppable shot past Begovic!
GOAL! Bosnia-Herzegovina 0-1 Republic of Ireland, Robbie Brady! A lovely individual effort from the Norwich City midfielder. Brady made a brilliant run to the edge of the Bosnian penalty area, cut back and squeezed the ball in low from the edge of the area to the left of a despairing Begovic.
Minute
Description
80'
Marc Wilson concedes a free kick after a foul on Ibisevic, but the Bosnians can't make any capital from their set piece and Randolph, who arguably has been Ireland's best player can collect under minimal pressure.
78'
Pjanic's free kick is charged down, surprisingly he drills it low and the effort has the sting taken out of it by the Irish wall and Randolph can calmly come out and pick up the loose ball.
77'
Bosnia-Herzegovina come again, and Clark is forced to clear under pressure. Vranjes goes down after being clipped by McClean. The West Brom man then concedes a free kick some 15 yards outside the Ireland penalty area...
75'
Coleman, under pressure from Dzeko, tries to clear and is awarded a free kick after a foul from the Roma striker. With 15 minutes to go, Martin O'Neill will be quietly pleased at his side's work so far.
73'
M. Đurić enters the game and replaces E. Višća.
72'
Djuric is coming on for the winger Visca to a rapturous reception from the Bosnian supporters. Jeff Hendrick clears a deep inswinging free kick. Vedad Ibisevic will move to the left to provide ammunition for the Cesena striker.
69'
It's a great little battle between McClean and Vranjes now as the home supporters sing the name of Cesena forward Milan Djuric. He scored in their last qualifier against Cyprus. Amazing to think Bosnia's first match in this qualifying campaign was a 2-1 home defeat to the same opposition.
68'
McClean making his presence felt already, as a meaty challenge from the West Bromwich Albion winger lets Vranjes knows he's in an international match.
67'
M. Wilson enters the game and replaces S. Ward.
66'
Marc Wilson is poised to come on for Stephen Ward. A sensible substitution to prevent a potential red card for the Burnley left-back.
65'
Darryl Murphy is caught late by Edin Cocalic and a cacophony of whistles ensues as the Ipswich Town man stays motionless on the ground.
63'
McClean makes a great introduction, as he nicks the ball off Visca and goes on a marauding run down the left, but it's brought to an end by Sunjic. Looks like Hendrick is moving into the hole behind Murphy with Brady and McClean operating on the wings.
61'
Stephen Ward is walking a tight line as he appears to collide into the back of Vranjes. The Burnley man needs to be careful, having already picked up a booking in the first half.
60'
J. McClean enters the game and replaces W. Hoolahan.
Another great piece of goalkeeping from Darren Randolph keeps the game scoreless as he comes out to chest down Lulic's chance.
58'
Bosnia-Herzegovina play the ball around midfield and find Vranjes, who feeds Dzeko, but McCarthy steps in to stop the danger. Wes Hoolahan is coming off for James McClean now.
55'
Vranjes has had plenty of the ball since coming on, but the midfielder for Turkish side Gazientepspor is struggling to find his own players as the fog descends again.
54'
Thankfully the fog seems to be lifting a little. But can Ireland lift the siege on their penalty area?
51'
O. Vranješ enters the game and replaces M. Mujdža.
Ognjen Vranjes comes on for the right-back Mensur Mujdza.
CLOSE! Almost an own goal for Ireland as Visca rampages down the right, and Clark cuts out his cross but forces Randolph into a diving save. Visca picks up the ball again from a throw in, evades Stephen Ward, but Randolph is out to save again.
48'
A thick pea soup of a fog has descended over this area of central Bosnia as it's getting quite difficult to make out the players and the ball. Clark clears under pressure as visibility continues to deteriorate in Zenica.
46'
The second half is underway in Zenica under a blanket of thick fog.
No changes in the Irish side, as Glenn Whelan has a shot from just outside the area following good work from Brady.
45'
Real pressure on Ireland just before the half-time break. Zukanovic breaks down the left, but his cross is blocked by Clark. Visca picks up the loose ball but Ward recovers and smashes the ball to safety as the referee decides not to add any injury time and blows up for end of the first half.
43'
Great covering tackle by the Aston Villa centre-half Ciaran Clark as he makes almost 20 yards to stop Mujdza launching another Bosnian attack, and wins a free kick into the bargain. Ireland will be happy to get in at half-time with the score like this.
41'
It's been pretty much all Bosnia-Herzegovina in terms of possession, as Lulic rampages down the left, but slips just as he crosses. From an Irish perspective, you could say it's been a very solid defensive display, but the fact remains that Randolph has been much the busier goalkeeper. The West Ham man has looked very composed so far tonight in Zenica.
40'
A free kick from Ireland out on the right is taken by Robbie Brady and Richard Keogh challenges Asmir Begovic, but the Stoke City goalkeeper is equal to the task and gathers at the second time of asking.
38'
A different corner routine from Ireland sees the ball played low to Glenn Whelan with his back to goal, but the Stoke City midfielder trips over the ball.
37'
Ireland win a free kick in just outside the centre circle and clever play by Jeff Hendrick wins Ireland their second corner of the match.
34'
Richard Keogh seems to get a hold of Lulic in the penalty area, but the referee doesn't spot it and the visitors can clear their lines. Much of Bosnia-Herzegovina's best play seems to be coming down Ireland's left side, with the right-back Mujzda giving Stephen Ward plenty of work to do defensively.
32'
CLOSE! Nice play by Lulic as he fashions a cross for left-back Ervin Zukanovic, but his header is just over and Ireland can regroup.
31'
Nice little passage of play from Ireland. From a throw-in, Hoolahan picks up the ball, dribbles past two Bosnian defenders and almost tees up Glenn Whelan for a chance, but his touch is weak.
30'
Lulic marshalls Seamus Coleman well for a Bosnian throw and Mujdza has a chance to cross from the right, but the ball hits a horrible bobble in the pitch and it's a goal kick for the visitors.
28'
CLOSE! First Mujzda cuts inside and has a shot which is charged down by Robbie Brady. The ball breaks to Bosnian midfielder Visca, but his effort flashes harmlessly wide of Randolph's goal.
26'
S. Ward gets yellow.
24'
The pattern of the game is emerging now, as Bosnia-Herzegovina settle into their passing stride, and Ireland struggle to hold on to the ball in midfield. Hendrick is struggling to impose himself on the game and the visitors' best hope seem to be long balls in the general vicinity of Ipswich Town striker Darryl Murphy.
22'
CLOSE! Bosnia-Herzegovina right-back Mujzda pulls the ball back for Sunjic who smashes the ball in from just inside the area. It hits the side netting and a large proportion of the home side's supporters think they've seen their team open the scoring. But Ireland again breathe a sigh of relief.
20'
Another corner from Pjanic, but handball is given against Dzeko and Ireland can breathe again, but for how long? The ball seems to be continuously returning to their midfield players as the visitors struggle to put together a meaningful sequence of passing.
19'
Pressure on Ireland's defence now, as Lulic is played in, and Seamus Coleman has to clear his lines under pressure. The home side are building up a head of steam as they win their second corner of the match.
18'
Edin Visca burrows inside the Ireland penalty area, and after the faintest touch from Stephen Ward, throws himself to the ground. Referee Felix Brych is not impressed.
17'
Ireland win a somewhat fortuitous corner as Robbie Brady's shot is deflected. It's cleared and Bosnia can break...
15'
Pjanic has a free kick out on the left side, but the playmaker can't beat the first man and Ireland eventually win a free kick as he fouls Stephen Ward.
14'
Bosnia-Herzegovina starting to string some decent passes together in the middle of the park, as Pjanic drops deep to retrieve the ball. Ciaran Clark concedes the game's first corner.
Pjanic takes the corner, and it's a free header for Edin Dzeko, but it's a poor effort from the Roma striker, under little pressure. Ireland cannot afford to be this generous against a 6'6" tall marksman of considerable talent.
11'
Oh, the first shot in anger of the match. Lovely play by the Bosnian right-back Mensur Mujdza ends with a pull-back to Pjanic just outside the area, but the Roma midfielder's shot flies just over.
9'
A nice passage of play by Ireland goes awry as James McCarthy brings down Toni Sunjic. Bosnia try and build from the back, but it's quite slow and ponderous and ends up with an aimless long ball which Randolph can tidy up.
7'
Great little tussle between Richard Keogh and Edin Dzeko, which the Derby County defender wins. An important early marker for Ireland's back four.
6'
Zukanovic is flagged offside and it brings to an end a promising Bosnian move. Darren Randolph takes his time over the free kick.
5'
Edin Visca brought down, but no foul, but Glenn Whelan is harried off the ball as Bosnia-Herzegovina retain possession. Ireland will be happy to concede the lion's share of possession but must show the same concentration they displayed against the world champions Germany in Dublin.
3'
Bosnia-Herzegovina starting off slowly, building patiently from the back, but a foul by Ibisevic on McCarthy relieves the pressure for the visitors.
1'
Already a sign of intent from Ireland as Daryl Murphy pushes Lulic over on the edge of the area.
Good evening and welcome to our live commentary feed on the Bosnia-Herzegovina v Republic of Ireland Euro 2016 qualification play-off in the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica, Bosnia! Thanks for joining us, this is Michael Hannan and I'll be bringing you play by play coverage as Martin O'Neill's men will do battle with Mehmed Bazdarevic's Bosnia for a place in France next year!. Kick-off is just under 35 minutes away and I'll bring you the line-ups shortly!
The biggest talking point so far from an Irish point of view is the selection of Norwich City's Wes Hoolahan. Not picked as a starter in the Republic's away games, and just one yellow card away tonight from a suspension for the return leg in Dublin, it looks like O'Neill wants to put his side on the front foot early on. Hoolahan's creativity from midfield will be sorely needed given how depleted the Irish front line is, and his manager will be hoping he will be able to unlock a Bosnian defence which has conceded 12 goals in 10 European Championship qualifying matches.
On the bench tonight for the Bosnians are: Sehic, Buric, Bicakcic, Kolasinac, Vranjes, Medunjanin, Susic, I Hajrovic, Hadzic, Salihovic, Ar. Hodzic, Djuric, while the Irish can call on the following: Forde, Henderson, Wilson, Pearce, Christie, McGeady, McClean, Judge, Gibson, Arter, Keane, Doyle.
Martin O'Neill's men will line out as follows:Darren Randolph; Stephen Ward, Ciaran Clark, Richard Keogh, Seamus Coleman; Robbie Brady, James McCarthy, Glenn Whelan, Wes Hoolahen, Jeff Hendrick; Daryl Murphy.
The home side will line out as follows:Asmir Begovic; Ervin Zukanovic, Emir Spahic, Toni Sunjic, Mensur Mujdza; Senad Lulic, Edin Cocalic, Miralem Pjanic, Edin Visca; Vedad Ibisevic, Edin Dzeko.
Mehmed Bazdarevic's Bosnia have been quite bullish about their prospects and not without serious justification. They have won four out of their last five qualifying matches, and will look to their Roma duo of Edin Dzeko, who is back to full fitness, and playmaker Miralem Pjanic, who missed out on Sunday's Rome derby through suspension, and therefore comes to the fray in rude health. If Martin O'Neill is serious about joining the party that Northern Ireland, England and Scotland already have invitations to, he'll need to drill it into his defence and covering midfield duo of James McCarthy and Glenn Whelan that any free kicks conceded outside the Irish penalty area are a serious danger with Pjanic on the prowl.
While the Irish may bemoan their own bad luck in play-off matches, with just two victories in seven encounters, Bosnia will themselves be hoping it's third time lucky after two play-off defeats both at the hands of Portugal in 2010 and 2012.
The teams are in the tunnel now as they prepare to enter the cauldron of noise that will await them in the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica. Felix Brych of Germany will be the man in the middle tonight as Glen Whelan captains the Irish, while Dzeko will lead from the front for the home side.
And we're off in Zenica!
The Bosnian national anthem is played to a crescendo of noise from the home support and we're just awaiting the kick-off now. A massive task for Ireland against a side who boast a serious contingent of Champions League players.
HALF-TIME: Bosnia-Herzegovina 0-0 Republic of Ireland. So, scoreless here in Zenica and without doubt Ireland will be much the happier of the two sides. They have been on the back foot for much of the half, as the Freiburg right-back Mujzda has prompted much of the home side's best chances down the right flank. Although the Roma duo of Dzeko and Pjanic have drifted in and out of the game, Bosnia have looked dangerous when they have spread the ball wide and stretched Ireland's full-backs Ward and Coleman. Martin O'Neill's men have created precious little in terms of out and out scoring chances with Darryl Murphy starved of service as Lulic and Pjanic have squeezed the Irish midfield.
Perhaps Ireland can take inspiration from fellow play-off contenders Hungary's 1-0 away victory over Norway last night. Despite being dominated in terms of possession and chances, the Magyars came away with a huge result and Ireland will need to make more of the meagre scraps that they are throwing Murphy's way if they are to have any hope of replicating that result.
The teams are coming out onto the pitch now. Robbie Keane exchanging words with some of the Irish players in the centre circle. Will he get a chance to come on and add to his 67 international goals for his country?
And there goes the final whistle! Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-1 Republic of Ireland is the final score, a score which Martin O'Neill would surely have taken prior to kick-off.
Ireland will be disappointed at the concession of the equaliser, but delighted at a score draw which leaves them firmly in the box seat of this tie for the return match in the Aviva Stadium. And with Jonathan Walters, John O'Shea and possibly Shane Long available for the return match, Martin O'Neill will feel confident of getting the job done in front of their home crowd in Dublin on Monday night. Thanks for following our commentary tonight, this is Michael Hannan for Goal wishing you a good night!
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