FT: Robbie Brady's late goal was cancelled out by Bosnian captain Edin Dzeko who made it eight goals in eight games for country. A very good result for Ireland who take back a crucial away goal to Dublin for the second leg on Monday night. I've been Liam Headd for VAVEL UK thanks for following this first leg in Zenica.
Full Time: Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-1 Republic of Ireland
90+4- Moments left in the game here as Ireland look to hang on to a strong result
90- Four minutes added on here in Zenica..
88- Lulic is replaced by Hajrovic as the home side look to complete a late comeback
86- Aiden McGeady replaces goalscorer Robbie Brady
85- Dzeko was unmarked and made no mistake from eight yards out, it's game on now
85- GOAL, INSTANT REPLY FOR BOSNIA, IT'S EDIN DZEKO AGAIN, 1-1
82- His effort with the left foot beat Begovic by the post to give the away side a goal to take back to Dublin
82 GOALLLLL, IT'S ROBBIE BRADY FOR IRELAND, THEY GET THE AWAY GOAL
79- Nothing comes out of it as Randolph catches the ball in his hands
78- Free-kick to Bosnia in a dangerous position after McClean gives a foul away
76 Still 0-0 here in Zenica, Ireland continue to impress in defence but Bosnia definetly going more attacking. However, still 15 minutes to play
71- Second substitution for Bosnia as Milan Djuric is entering play and will replace Edin Visca who has created a few chances tonight.
69- If the weather remains like this and gets worse for the referee, the remaining time will be played tomorrow if the referee calls the game off.
67-Stephen Ward is replaced by Marc Wilson, Ward already of a yellow card and has not featured for Burnley much this season.
66- Murphy stands to his feet after a challenge from behind, Ireland seem to be ready to bring on Marc Wilson.
58- Substitution for Ireland, James McClean is introduced and replaces Wes Hoolahan
53- Robbie Brady's cross finds the head of Hendrick, who heads his chance over the bar
52- Wes Hoolahan has Ireland's first attempt on goal but Chelsea's Asmir Begovic in goal makes easy work of it.
50- Bosnia sub, Mujdza is replaced by Ognjen Vranjes for the first change of the game
48- Very bad conditions here in Zenica, suprised the referee can see the Ireland players who are in white
45- Ireland get the second half started...
Second half is moments away, and it is very hard to see the pitch whether its due to flares from the home fans or heavy fog!
HT- Bosnia need to get Miralem Pjanic involved in the game more, the player created 31 chances at goal in the groupstage and the 4-4-2 of the home side doesn't seem to be doing a lot of damage.
HT- Ireland are yet to create a chance, but do seem to cause pressure when attacking the Bosnian defence. However, another striker may be added for Ireland to aim for the away goal.
HT- Ireland should be happy with the first 45 minutes, despite creating a few chances, Bosnia have not forced Darren Randolph to do an awful lot in the Irish goal.
Half Time: Bosnia-Herzegovina 0-0 Republic of Ireland
45- No minutes added on as the referee blows for half time.
37- Ireland waste another opportunity from the corner, but now the away side have a free kick after Dzeko caused the foul
34- Lulic wants a penalty as it appeared Coleman has tugged on his shirt.
31- Ireland increasing the pressure, Bosnia showing signs of nerves when the Irish attack at them, still 0-0 in this game.
28- Dzeko's cross is blocked by Coleman and the follow up shot from Visca is wide
26- Steven Ward with the first yellow card of the game, a foul on Edin Visca
26- Ireland will be happy with the start they have had, small amounts of possession but Randolph has yet to make a save
22-Bosnia getting closer, Ibisevic goes close with a volley at the front post, but see's his effort hit the side netting, many fans in Zenica thought it was the first goal
18- A poor corner from Ireland nearly came at a cost as Bosnia broke but nothing came from it.
13- Corner to Bosnia, who are slowly getting more into the game
11- CHANCE!! Miralem Pjanic fires over his shot at the edge of the box for the first chance of the game
7- Richard Keogh denies Edin Dzeko the chance to attack, open game so far.
2- Early possession for the hosts, Ireland definetly pushing for a goal with Hoolahan joining Murphy in attack during the early stages.
1- Bosnia get this game underway shooting from right to left in their natural blue colours
We are just moments away from kick off, the two teams are in the tunnel
Ireland team to play Bosnia: (4-4-1-1) Randolph; Coleman, Keogh, Clark, Ward; Hendrick, Whelan, McCarthy, Brady; Hoolahan; Murphy.
Bosnia team to play Ireland: (4-4-2) Begovic; Mujdza, Sunjic, Spahic, Zukanovic; Visca, Pjanic, Cocalic, Lulic; Ibisevic, Dzeko.
Confirmed teams are out....
Predicted Ireland XI (4-3-2-1) Randolph; Coleman, Keogh, Clark, Brady; McCarthy, Whelan, Hendrick; McClean, McGeady; Keane
Predicted Bosnia XI (4-4-2): Begovic; Saphic, Mujdza, Sunjic, Kolasinac; Medunjanin, Besic, Pjanic, Lulic; Ibisevic, Dzeko
The predicted teams are as followed...
Edin Dzeko, leading goalscorer for Bosnia is wary of the threat from Ireland. He said: "They have some important players, some experienced players, who can bring something different to the team - like they did against Germany, because it's not easy doing it against them. If you win, you must be a good team. They are a good team which will definitely never give up, I know that.
Ireland skipper Robbie Keane is confident of bringing something away from Bosnia for the second leg. He said: "The calmness of the players reminds me of the Estonia game. Going into that game I felt a calm, confident approach from the players and I got that feeling this week in training. If we can play to the best of our ability and we work together as a team, I'm fairly confident in this group of players that we can get something out of the game."
The game will take place at the Bilino Polke Stadion in Zenica with a capacity of around 15,600. It is expected that around 750 Ireland supporters have themselves tickets, but based on the support the Irish had in Poland and Ukraine in 2012, they will turn up in numbers in Bosnia. The stadium was built in 1972 and is currently used by a Bosnia football team called NK Čelik Zenica.
In the same game John O'shea was sent off and Jonathan Walters picked up another yellow card leaving them suspended for the first leg. Stephen Henderson has been called up to the sqaud due to injuries of Goalkeepers Rob Elliot, Kieran Westwood and Shay Given, with Darren Randolph likely to start.
Martin O'Neil has a number of missing players for the trip to Bosnia with David Meyler being added to the list. The Hull City player has picked up a knee injury and is expected to be sidelined for eight weeks. Shane Long, the hero against Germany is unavailable due to a foot injury sustained in the 2-0 defeat by Poland last month.
Bosnia coach Bazdarevic has a fully fit squad to choose from and has enough depth to change things around if things are not going his way in the first leg. The only absentee from the home side is Everton midfielder Muhamed Besic who is out of selection due to suspension.
Ireland also have notable players in the squad that can cause a threat from any given chance. Robbie Keane is Ireland's leading goalscorer with 67 and continues to perform week in week out for LA Galaxy. James McCarthy was a stand out performer in Ireland's 1-0 win over Germany and will have a huge part to play in these next two fixtures if Ireland are to make it to their second consecutive European Championships.
It's obvious to see the quality that Bosnia hold, Edin Dzeko is a striker who can find the back of the net and had a very successful spell at Manchester City, he is definetly one to watch in the Bosnian side having scored seven goals for his national side in the group stages. His Roma teammate Miralem Pjanic has also proved himself and is a very talented midfield player that can cause a threat at any time.
Martin O'Neil was happy with the draw and the set up. He said: "I'm happy with that, there's no point in thinking that we hold an advantage in Dublin with the crowd behind us if we don't go and perform in the first game. That would be really important."
Bosnia coach Mehmed Bazdarevic understands the sort of challenge that the Ireland team possess and realise that it is going to be a difficult to games. He said: "We have a difficult task and we must do it in the best way. Ireland are a serious team and it will be difficult in Zenica. They are a football nation and have a motivated team. Regardless of some problems with injuries, Ireland have enough quality players who play in strong clubs, and will be a formidable opponent.”
Ireland's record in play-offs isn't much more worthy of shouting about ans in the past 20 years, they have only succeeded twice as well as four defeats. The last play-off Ireland were involved in was a convincing 5-1 aggregate win over Estonia to progress to the 2012 tournament. The boys in green suffered heartbreak in 2009 against France and will not want to fall at the final hurdle once more.
Bosnia were in danger of missing out on even a play-off position after four games into the group as a home defeat to Cyprus and a 3-0 drubbing by Israel as well as draws to Belgium and Wales left the side with two points from their opening four games. However, a run of form and results going their way, Bosnia are now two gamerss away from the tournament they missed out on in 2012 due to a play-off defeat to Portugal.
Ireland finished in third place in Group D behind World Champions Germand and second placed Poland. The Irish faithful enjoyed a historic night in Dublin last month when a second half strike from Shane Long helped them to three points over Germany giving them a guarenteed third place. However, Martin O'Neil's men had the chance to finish second in the group, but a defeat against Poland in Warsaw denied them the chance and as a result have a two legged play-off to play.
The Irish head into the game in high spirits after a number of wins in previous games allowed them to jump above Scotland into the play-off position. The two teams have met on only one occassion - a 1-0 home win for Ireland in Dublin thanks to a Shane Long goal, but that was in 2012 and a lot has happened since then.
The home side have only lost one out of their last five qualifiers which was a 3-1 away defeat to Group B winners Belgium but prior to the defeat Bosnia enjoyed wins against Cyprus, Wales and Andorra.
Bosnia welcome Ireland to Zenica tonight on the back of a 3-1 home win over Israel, which guarenteed a third placed finish for themselves as well as helping Wales finish second in the group to reach the championships next summer. A brace from Edin Visca either side of an Edin Dzeko penalty helped the Bosnians to all three points.
Tonight's referee will be Italy's Luca Banti. Clattenburg has a wealth of experience througout Serie A, as well as taking charge of games in the Europa League and previous European Championship games. Banti has already officiated one of Bosnia's games in the group stage prior to this - a 1-1 draw with Belgium in October 2014.
Hello and welcome to VAVEL's live coverage of tonight's UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying play-off first leg between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Republic of Ireland at Stadion Bilino Polje, Zenica. My name is Liam Headd and I'll be taking you through this evening's events.