Ciaran Clark: Fog was the same for both teams

‘We have got the away goal, but we’ve got to go out there as if it is 0-0’

Ireland’s Robbie Keane and Ciaran Clark after the game. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho
Ireland’s Robbie Keane and Ciaran Clark after the game. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho

Republic of Ireland defender Ciaran Clark says his side will not rest on their laurels after earning a 1-1 draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina in the first leg of their Euro 2016 play-off.

It could have been even better for Martin O’Neill’s men as they took an 82nd-minute lead through Robbie Brady’s low strike only for Edin Dzeko to level three minutes later.

The result means a 0-0 draw will see Ireland progress to the finals in France next summer, but Clark is not taking any perceived advantage for granted.

“As a team it was a good performance, defensively,” the Aston Villa man said on Sky Sports 1. “This game is done now and we have to concentrate and get ready for the game on Monday night now. That’s half-time effectively.

READ MORE

“We are confident we can go out there and get a result. It’s going to be a tough game for both teams for sure, we have got the away goal, but we’ve got to go out there as if it is 0-0 and we’ve got to go again and concentrate on Monday night.”

The game, and the second half especially, was played in dense fog that made playing conditions difficult, with Bosnia goalkeeper Asmir Begovic admitting he could not see beyond the halfway line.

Clark added: “The fog did get worse in the second half, but it is the same for both teams and both teams had to deal with it.”

Bosnia know they have to score at the Aviva Stadium on Monday if they are to book their place in France and Begovic concedes his side had a tough night.

“It was a difficult night, Ireland are a tough team to break down, they are organised and we couldn’t quite get the ball down and play it the way we wanted to so it was difficult,” he said. “Both teams made it difficult for each other so it’s all to play for in the second leg.

“Obviously we need to score, but there is still 90 minutes to play and we fancy ourselves against anyone.”

On the inclement conditions, the Chelsea goalkeeper said: "It was difficult conditions, but we dealt with them in the main okay."