Bosnia hit by defensive crisis for Portugal match

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina — Bosnia-Herzegovina will be missing three first-choice defenders against Portugal in the first leg of the playoff on Friday for the 2012 European Championship.

Boris Pandza and Sasa Papac are suspended for the match in Zenica while Mensur Mujdza’s broken foot will also keep him out of the second leg in Lisbon next Tuesday.

“We have problems,” Bosnia coach Safet Susic stated Wednesday after training. “I still have not decided how to solve them but I have some time left — I have two more days.”

Nevertheless, Susic stated he will not settle for a draw, arguing: “How can we aim for a victory in Lisbon if we can’t win at home?”

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko will lead the attack for Bosnia, which is aiming to qualify for its first major international event in eight attempts since the initial bid to reach the 1998 World Cup.

“To be honest, I am glad that we play the first game at home,” Dzeko said. “I think the most important thing is that we achieve a good result in Zenica.”

Portugal knocked out Bosnia in the playoff qualifier for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, winning 1-0 in Lisbon and Zenica.

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