Seeking to put an end to an abysmal winless streak, Bosnia-Herzegovina prepare to take on Kuwait in an international friendly on Saturday evening.
Ivaylo Petev's men managed to hold world champions France to a 1-1 draw during 2022 qualifying earlier this week, while Kuwait have not taken to the field since a 2-0 Arab Cup defeat to Bahrain in June.
Match preview
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France had their injury woes before Bosnia paid a visit to the Stade de la Meinau in World Cup qualifying on Wednesday, but few could have foreseen Les Bleus falling behind on the day, with Edin Dzeko netting his 60th international goal in the 36th minute.
Didier Deschamps's side swiftly replied before half time through Antoine Griezmann before Jules Kounde saw red for a challenge on Sead Kolasinac, and while Bosnia therefore boasted an extra man for the final 40 minutes, the two sides shared the points on the day.
Still winless in World Cup qualification Group D, Bosnia's chances of only a second-ever appearance at the finals as an independent nation are already wafer thin, but a first victory could be on the cards when they host bottom-of-the-table Kazakhstan on September 7.
Wins have been hard to come by in any competition for Bosnia recently, as Wednesday's draw with France extended their winless streak to 14 games since a 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein in November 2019, and Zmajevi have only managed to chalk up eight goals in that dismal run.
Bosnia's winless streak in international fixtures stretches back further - a 3-1 triumph over South Korea in June 2018 - and worryingly, they have failed to score in each of their last six exhibition matches.
Meanwhile, it has been over two months since Kuwait last took to the field in an international fixture, with the world's 142-ranked nation falling at the first hurdle in Arab Cup qualifying thanks to second-half goals from Bahrain duo Ali Haram and Hashim Isa.
World Cup qualifying is also done and dusted for Andres Carrasco's side, who managed to finish second in AFC Group B, but only top spot was enough to keep the dream alive as Australia finished 10 points clear of their counterparts.
Kuwait's final game of qualifying did see them pick up a 2-1 success over Chinese Taipei, but that win represents their only triumph from their last 10 fixtures in all tournaments, while they are also winless in eight consecutive friendly fixtures.
There may be nothing more than pride at stake for Bosnia and Kuwait during their first-ever meeting this weekend, but with victories so hard to come by for both outfits at present, a fiery affair could still be on the cards.
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Team News
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Arsenal man Kolasinac is not thought to have sustained any serious damage following Kounde's challenge in midweek, but he will certainly not be risked here with nothing but pride on the line.
Eldar Civic could therefore come in on the left-hand side, while on the opposite flank, Mateo Susic was forced off in midweek and could cede his place to Branimir Cipetic.
With next week's clash with Kazakhstan taking priority, wholesale changes could see Amer Gojak, Rade Krunic and Stjepan Loncar drafted into the XI for Saturday's friendly.
Kuwait's 91-cap midfielder Fahad Al Ansari is the only player in the national team to play his football outside of his homeland, with the 34-year-old currently on the books at Qatari side Al-Wakrah.
Captain Bader Al-Mutawa - the second highest capped men's international player of all time - could operate in the hole behind Yousef Al Salman, who scored both of his side's goals in June's win over Chinese Taipei.
Bosnia-Herzegovina possible starting lineup:
Vasilj; Sanicanin, Jovicic, Kovacevic; Cipetic, Pjanic, Krunic, Loncar, Civic; Demirovic, Prevljak
Kuwait possible starting lineup:
Abdulghafoor; Al Sanea, Al Harbi, Al-Hajeri, Al Qallaf; Ayedh, Al Dhefiri; Al Rasheedi, Al-Mutawa, Al Fnaini; Al Salman
We say: Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-1 Kuwait
Neither Bosnia nor Kuwait are enjoying a magnificent spell of form at present, and their respective friendly records makes for bleak reading for both sets of supporters.
Petev's side do boast the higher calibre of players, and while Bosnia are sure to rotate with their chances of World Cup qualification still alive, we still expect them to end their rut by a narrow margin.
Top tip
Ben Knapton
