Bosnia and Herzegovina became the first World Cup nation to release their provisional squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Despite having the option to choose up to 30 players for his provisional squad, Head Coach, Safet Susic, named only a 24-man roster.
Adding to the intrigue of Susic’s early filing is the fact that he named only two strikers to his team, Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko and Stuttgart’s Vedad Ibisevic, while Istanbul’s Edin Visca is a forward who can play on the wing or up top.
Despite the apparent lack of firepower, Susic was confident in his men: “I don’t really need more than two strikers because we will only start with one in our opening group match against Argentina.”
The thin frontline means a thick midfield where Susic rostered 11 players highlighted by AS Roma’s Miralem Pjanic, Lazio’s Senad Lulic and Hoffenheim’s Sejad Salihovic.
In defence, Bosnia will have seven players to choose from, including Schalke’s Sead Kolasinac and Bayer Leverkusen’s Emir Spahic while Stoke City goalkeeper, Asmir Begovic, will be backed by Aalen’s Jasmin Fejzic and Borac Banja Luka’s Asmir Avdukic.
“Only the players who are regular starters at their clubs could expect a call-up and having a compact unit such as this one is essential for a good atmosphere in the dressing room,” Susic said. “I know there are people who will disagree and that some players left out will be disappointed, but these are the best 24 we have at the moment.”
The Dragons have been placed in Group F with Argentina, Nigeria and Iran.
Assessing his side’s odds, Susic said: “Our goal is to reach the last 16 and I think we are in with a fair chance because there is little or nothing between Nigeria, Iran and us, while Argentina are the odds-on favourites to win the group.”
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