Important win in World Cup qualification for Nikola Katic – but now suspended for decisive final group game

Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded an important victory on Saturday night (15/11) in their penultimate World Cup qualifier. Sergej Barbarez’s team won 3-1 against Romania to ensure at least a place in the play-offs. Schalke centre-back Nikola Katic played the full 90 minutes in Zenica.

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Nikola Katic smiling

Former VfL Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko, now of Fiorentina, got Bosnia’s equaliser four minutes into the second half after Daniel Birligea (FCSB) had given the visitors the lead after 17 minutes. PSV Eindhoven’s Esmir Bajraktarevic crashed home a stunning strike in the 79th minute to give Bosnia the lead, before Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Haris Tabakovic confirmed the victory in injury time with a third goal for the home team.

Bosnia’s final game in Group H is against first-placed Austria on Tuesday night (18/11). Austria, led by former Schalke head coach Ralf Rangnick, have 18 points from their seven games to date, two more than Bosnia and Herzegovina. Victory in Vienna would see Barbarez’s side leapfrog them in the table and earn direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup. Kick off at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion will be at 20:45 CET.

Nikola Katic will unfortunately not be able to feature on Tuesday night. The defender picked up a yellow card against Romania, his second of the qualification campaign, and will therefore be suspended.

Ayhan not involved in a 1-0 win over Ukraine

Mertcan Ayhan didn’t feature for Turkey U21s in their 1-0 win over Ukraine in European Championship qualification on Friday (14/11). Besiktas’ Emirhan Ilkan grabbed the only goal of the game in Istanbul in the 73rd minute.

Turkey remain on top of Group H. Their next game is on Tuesday (18/11, 17:00 CET) in Lithuania.

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