Portugal braces for tough playoffs against Bosnia

AP, Thursday 10 Nov 2011

Despite being the big favorite on paper, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal isn’t expecting an easy time against Bosnia-Herzegovina in their European Championship playoff

Cristiano Ronaldo

 The two countries meet in the first leg Friday in Bosnia, and the Portuguese are wary of an opponent they narrowly beat in playoffs for the 2010 World Cup.

Bosnia has grown in stature since those meetings and chased powerhouse France to the wire in Euro 2012 qualifying, missing out on automatic qualification by one point in Group D.

 Portugal striker Helder Postiga says “they’ve improved a lot, they’re stronger now,” adding that “it’ll be a hard fight.”

 The return leg is in Lisbon on Tuesday.

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