De Bruyne on target for Belgium
GROUP B
BELGIUM 3
(Marouane Fellaini 23, Kevin de Bruyne 44, Eden Hazard 78-pen)
BOSNIA 1
(Edin Dzeko 15)
Manchester City's new record signing Kevin de Bruyne was on target as Belgium put their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign back on course with a 3-1 victory over Bosnia yesterday morning (Singapore time).
The home team, who lost at Group B leaders Wales in June, had a wealth of possession but struggled to break down a well-organised Bosnia who also threatened on the counter-attack through the menacing Edin Dzeko.
BULLET HEADER: Gareth Bale (in red) scoring the winning goal for Wales. -- PHOTOS: REUTERS, AFP
Dzeko opened the scoring with his fifth goal against Belgium, floating in a header after Mensur Mujdza was allowed to advance unchallenged.
Belgium, however, went into halftime 2-1 up thanks to a thunderous header from a corner by Marouane Fellaini and a sharp turn and a shot from de Bruyne (left) who joined City last month for an estimated £50 million ($108m).
The hosts needed goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to be in top form.
He saved a cracking drive from Haris Medunjanin before Chelsea teammate Eden Hazard won and converted a penalty in the 78th minute to calm the nerves of the fans.
Wales top the group with 17 points after a 1-0 victory in Cyprus. Second-placed Belgium trail by three points with three matches left while Bosnia are fifth on eight.
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots was happy with the way his team retained their composure after Dzeko's opener.
"We had to stay calm. This team have matured. We don't panic or get anxious," he said. "What's important is that we got the three points... I think it was a good Belgium with Thibaut saving us once or twice."
- Reuters.
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