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Ireland to face Bosnia in Euro 2016 play-off

Martin O'Neill's side finished third behind Poland and Germany in Group D 
Martin O'Neill's side finished third behind Poland and Germany in Group D  Martin O'Neill's side finished third behind Poland and Germany in Group D 

THE Republic of Ireland will face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Euro 2016 play-offs.

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 after Belgium and Wales qualified from Group B. The Republic have met Bosnia just once before, with the Irish winning 1-0 courtesy of a Shane Long header in May 2012 under previous manager Giovanni Trapattoni, having reached Euro 2012 via a play-off win over Estonia.

Midfielders James McCarthy, Darron Gibson and defender Séamus Coleman will face Everton team-mate Muhamed Besic in the opposition line-up, which also features Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko.

"If there is any slight advantage to be had for us, it's that the second game is in Dublin," O'Neill said.

"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."

In the other ties, Sweden take on Denmark in a Scandinavian derby, Ukraine play Slovenia and Norway tackle Hungary.

Matches will be played during next month's international break. 

EURO 2016 PLAY-OFF DRAW


Ukraine v Slovenia; Sweden v Denmark; Republic of Ireland v Bosnia-Herzegovina; Norway v Hungary

Ties to be played November 12/13/14 and 15/16/17.