EURO 2008 : PENALTY GIVES HUNGARY 1-0 WIN AGAINST BOSNIA

SZEKESFEHERVAR, Hungary (September 9,2007) - Hungary put a significant dent in Bosnia's qualification hopes with this victory at the Ferenc Puskas Stadium,yesterday.

A Zoltan Gera penalty gave Hungary a 1-0 victory over Bosnia in their Euro 2008 Group C qualifier.Gera converted from the spot in the 39th minute after striker Robert Feczesin was felled in the area.

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Zoltan Gera's first-half penalty proved the decisive moment, but he was not the only hero for Hungary.

Bosnia's Zlatan Muslimovic was denied by the impressive Marton Fulop, who pulled off a string of fine saves to give Hungary the points.

Bosnia needed full points as they continued to battle, starting the day five points behind group leaders Greece alongside Turkey and Norway.

The match started quietly with the only notable efforts in the first half-hour coming when Tamas Hajnal's inswinging corner was punched away by Adnan Guso only for Hajnal to drill over from 18 yards.

Muslimovic then had a right-footed strike from 12 yards out parried wide by Fulop.

It was Hungary were given the opportunity to break the deadlock when Ivan Radeljic fouled Robert Feczesin in the area.

Italian referee Matteo Trefoloni pointed to the spot and issued Radeljic a yellow card. Gera stepped up and smashed home the penalty.

Muslimovic was twice more denied by Fulop. The goalkeeper tipped a close-range header over the bar and followed it up by collecting confidently from the resulting the corner.

Muslimovic drilled in another right-footed strike from 12 yards but Fulop foiled him again, securing a half-time lead for Hungary.

Guso denied Hungary a second with a comfortable save from Feczesin's 18-yard strike.

The Bosnian keeper was then called upon again when Hajnal drilled in a 20-yard effort but Guso was equal to the strike.

Fulop further frustrated Muslimovic when the striker drilled in another effort from the edge of the area forcing the Hungary keeper into a fine save.

Hungary: Fulop, Vanczak, Vasko, Juhasz, Szelesi, Vass, Tozser,Gera, Hajnal (Csizmadia 72), Dzsudzsak (Halmosi 90),Feczesin (Filkor 89).

Subs Not Used: Balogh, Buzsaky, Leandro, Toth.

Booked: Juhasz, Vasko.

Goals: 1-0: Gera (39', pen.)

Bosnia : Guso, Berberovic, Bajic, Radeljic,Maletic (Bozic 79), Rahimic, Misimovic, Hrgovic (Custovic 84),Muslimovic, Ibisevic (Dzeko 67), Blatnjak.

Subs Not Used: Mujkic, Damjanovic, Nadarevic, Zeba.

Booked: Misimovic, Bajic, Radeljic.

Att: 10,000

Ref: Matteo Trefoloni (Italy).