Bosnia-Herzegovina: The team and the stars

With an attack-minded coach and a world-class striker leading the way, Bosnia is looking to score plenty of goals at the World Cup.

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko scored most of the team’s goals in qualifying, and coach Safet Susic will be looking for plenty more when the team gets to Brazil to face Argentina, Iran and Nigeria in Group F.

A creative midfield run by Miralem Pjanic will help, too.

Here are five Bosnia players to watch:

EDIN DZEKO

While playing a major role in Manchester City’s Premier League-winning campaign, Edin Dzeko also managed to score 10 of Bosnia’s 30 goals in World Cup qualifying.

Dzeko, nicknamed “the Diamond” in Bosnia, has scored 26 goals in 49 international matches and will be the key man up front in an attack-minded lineup.

MIRALEM PJANIC

Roma attacking midfielder Miralem Pjanic provides flair in the Bosnia midfield.

Pjanic started his international career in Luxembourg following his family’s move to the country shortly before the outbreak of the war in Bosnia in 1991.

He had to wait two years to get permission to play for Bosnia, making his debut in 2008. He has scored eight goals in 46 appearances for Bosnia.

VEDAD IBISEVIC

Vedad Ibisevic’s strike gave Bosnia a 1-0 win over Lithuania in Kaunas to assure his team of World Cup qualification.

The Stuttgart forward has also played club football in Switzerland, the United States and France.

In 2008, Ibisevic was awarded the “National Idol” award as Bosnian footballer of the year.

He has scored 20 goals in 51 appearances for Bosnia.

ASMIR BEGOVIC

Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic is considered among the top netminders in the English Premier League.

Begovic, who left Bosnia when he was 4, conceded only six goals in 10 qualifying matches for Bosnia.

He opted to play for Bosnia ahead of Canada, the side with which he started his international youth career in 2004.

ZVJEZDAN MISIMOVIC

Midfielder Zvjezdan Misimovic leads Bosnia with 80 international appearances, and has scored 26 goals.

Playing for Wolfsburg and winning the Bundesliga in 2009, Misimovic led the league with 20 assists.

Misimovic currently plays for Chinese club Guizhou Renhe.

The complete Bosnia-Herzegovina squad:

Goalkeepers: Asmir Begovic (Stoke City), Jasmin Fejzic (Aalen), Asmir Avdukic (Borac Banja Luka)

Defenders: Emir Spahic (Bayer Leverkusen), Sead Kolasinac (Schalke 04), Ermin Bicakcic (Eintracht Braunschweig), Ognjen Vranjes (Elazigspor), Toni Sunjic (Zarya Lugansk), Avdija Vrsajevic (Hajduk Split), Mensur Mujdza (Freiburg)

Midfielders: Zvjezdan Misimovic (Guizhou Renhe), Haris Medunjanin (Gaziantepspor), Miralem Pjanic (AS Roma), Sejad Salihovic (Hoffenheim), Senad Lulic (Lazio), Izet Hajrovic (Galatasaray), Senijad Ibricic (Erciyesspor), Tino Sven Susic (Hajduk Split), Muhamed Besic (Ferencvaros), Anel Hadzic (Sturm Graz)

Forwards: Edin Dzeko (Manchester City), Vedad Ibisevic (VfB Stuttgart), Edin Visca (Istanbul BB)

AP