IT WAS intended as a soccer match when, for once, the result would come a distant second to considerations such as solidarity, goodwill and international co operation. For the first time in months, Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi was given a sympathetic reception by Italian sports media this week when he spoke about the importance of "being here", of being the first national team to play Bosnia in their own Kosevo stadium in Sarajevo.

Unfortunately for Sacchi, however, he is now also the first Italian coach ever to lose to Bosnia, beaten 2-1 on a bright sunny afternoon that prompted understandable Bosnian celebrations. Striker Elvir Bolic, a name that is fast becoming familiar to British and Irish soccer fans, scored the Bosnian winner just before half time to add another famous scalp to his collection following his goal for Fenerbache in the Turkish side's 1-0 Champions' League win against Manchester United at Old Trafford last week.

Prior to Bolic, the Hamburg player Hasan Salihamidzic and Italy's Enrico Chiesa had got on the score sheet with 5th and 11th minute goals. Neither Bolic nor Chiesa, however, nor indeed considerations about the Italian team's humanitarian gesture are likely to dominate reactions to yesterday's defeat. Following Italy's first round flop in Euro 96 in England this summer, coach Sacchi was already under fierce pressure to resign.

The Italian Football Federation meets next month and is expected to elect Football League boss Luciano Nizzola as Federation President. The new man will be keen to make his mark on Italian soccer, almost certainly with the appointment of a new national team manager.