Monday 16 June 2014 08:32, UK
Safet Susic saw Bosnia-Herzegovina beaten by Argentina in Rio de Janeiro but remains upbeat regarding their chances of securing World Cup progress.
Making their bow on football’s biggest stage, Bosnia slipped to a narrow 2-1 defeat at the Maracana on Sunday.
A moment of magic from Lionel Messi ultimately proved to be the difference on the night, with the Barcelona forward netting Argentina’s decisive second.
That strike arrived midway through the second half, after Bosnia had made the worst possible start by putting through their own net inside the opening three minutes.
Vedad Ibisevic stepped off the bench to grab them a lifeline six minutes from time, but Argentina held on to take control of Group F.
If Argentina wins all their matches, we may only need four points to qualify - everything hangs on the match between Nigeria and Iran.
Susic, though, claims to have seen enough from a positive Bosnian showing to suggest that there is more to come from them and that qualification for the last 16 remains a distinct possibility.
He said: "We are realistic people and our goal was to put as much resistance as possible to one of the favourites to win the title, and this is what we have done.
"I am satisfied with what I saw, especially after we had this misfortune to concede an own goal in the first couple of minutes.
"It is a huge satisfaction to take part for the first time in the World Cup and play against a great team and one of the best players in the world - and not only of today but of all time.
"We have still two games to play and I told my players this was not the key match, that we could afford to lose but not by a large margin and this is what we achieved.
"If Argentina wins all their matches, we may only need four points to qualify - everything hangs on the match between Nigeria and Iran."
