Euro 2016 play-off draw: Republic of Ireland face Bosnia-Herzegovina after tough draw
The first leg ties will be played between 12-14 November, with the return matches on 15, 16 and 17 November
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Republic of Ireland will tackle Bosnia-Herzegovina for a place in the European Championships next year as the play-offs kick off.
The first leg ties will be played between 12-14 November, with the return matches on 15, 16 and 17 November.
Martin O'Neill's side finished third in Group D, behind world champions Germany and Poland - putting them into a two-legged knockout against a fellow third-placed side.
Opponents Bosnia were the next-best team, finishing third in Group B behind Belgium and Wales after drawing 0-0 against Chris Coleman's side in Cardiff before winning 2-0 at home.
Ireland's only previous meeting with Bosnia was a 1-0 friendly win in 2012, with Shane Long scoring the only goal.
Meanwhile, in other ties, Sweden was drawn against their Scandinavian neighbours Denmark, Ukraine will play Slovenia and Norway is to face Hungary.
They are all competing for one of the final four spots left for the taking ahead of the Euro 2016.
Hungary and Norway will both be playing for a return from the international wilderness - Hungary has not been in a major tournament since the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, and the Norwegians have been out of major tournaments since the 1998 World Cup. Elsewhere, Sweden will be at home in the first leg against their Scandinavian neighbour, Denmark.
"If there is any slight advantage to be had for us it's that the second game is in Dublin," O'Neill told uefa.com.
"We need to perform out in Bosnia to make sure that the second game in Dublin means something. We have a chance.
"We have some problems to negotiate with suspensions and who knows what will happen in the next few weeks, injury is always a possibility, but we will go for it and give it everything we've got.
"We had terrific results against Germany, the draw out in Germany and a home win, and because that's so recent we can draw real confidence from it."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments