Men's U17s: Hungary qualify for Euros with win over Bosnia

With Botond Balogh suspended, team captain Patrik Posztobányi dropped back into central defence, Borisz Tóth, Rajmund Molnár and György Komáromi also coming into the side as Sándor Preisinger freshened things up from the first matchday.

Hungary began strongly, Rajmund Molnár just unable to convert in the 3rd minute, but although in the ascendency for the first twenty minutes or so, Preisinger’s side were unable to carve out any clear-cut goalscoring opportunities.

Bosnia began to threaten as the half wore on, their pacey wingers looking dangerous, but just when it looked as if they might be the ones to take the lead, Hungary scored following a sweeping attacking move. Ákos Zuigéber was again the hero, following up on his 90th-minute winner against Norway on Tuesday with a precise 37th-minute finish after an inviting right-wing cross from Gábor Buna, the right-back having been set free by Rajmund Molnár.

Substitute András Németh twice came close to doubling Hungary’s lead in the second half, forcing Nikola Ćetković into a fine save from his close-range header in the 59th minute and then again coming close in the 66th. For their part, Bosnia continued to press for an equaliser, the Hungarian defence living through the odd nervous moment but in the end holding out for an all-important 1-0 victory, their second in a row  and one which means Hungary secures its place in May's tournament proper after only two of their three group matches in the elite round. 

Belgium defeated Norway 3-0 in the group’s other match, ensuring that Belgium and Hungary will be there when the European Under-17 Championship finals kick-off in Ireland on 4 May.

Those qualifying are the eight group winners and the seven runners-up with the best records against the teams first and third in their section. These 15 nations join hosts Republic of Ireland in the 16-team finals proper. Hungary now play Belgium on Monday afternoon with first place in the group at stake.

“I’m proud of my players and congratulate the whole team on making it to the European Championship”, said Sándor Preisinger after the match. “We didn’t play particularly well, that has to be recognised, but we were witness to a performance of great mental strength. We fought right until the end in order to reach our goal. It’s a huge success to have realised our objective after two matches, but another very tough match awaits us and first place in the group carries importance. We’ll do all we can to be successful against Belgium too” he added.

Hungary last participated at the European Under-17 Championship two years ago in Croatia, reaching the quarter-finals.

Hungary 1-0 Bosnia (HT: 1-0)

Goalscorer: Zuigeber (37’)

Hungary: Krisztián Hegyi – Gábor Buna, Patrik Posztobányi, Milán Horváth, Donát Orosz (Zétény Hosszú, 46’) – Márk Kosznovszky, Mihály Kata, Bórisz Tóth (Zoltán Dávid, 85’), Rajmund Molnár (Dávid László, 75’) – György Komáromi (András Németh, 47’), Ákos Zuigeber