19 November,2009 07:55 AM IST | | AFP
A 56th-minute strike by Raul Meireles was enough to break Bosnian hearts and send 2006 semi-finalists Portugal through to the finals.
And Slovenia ensured Guus Hiddink, who famously took South Korea to the 2002 semi-finals, will be missing from South Africa after beating his Russian side 1-0 in Maribor to qualify on the away goals rule.
The Portuguese, once again without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, had won a hard-fought first leg 1-0 courtesy of a close-range header by Bruno Alves on Saturday and again had to be on their mettle.
Meireles took a pass from Manchester United star Nani and slipped a low, precise shot past Kenan Hasagic in the Bosnian goal to settle the tie.
"These marathons are only over after the final whistle and I want to thank my players for showing such spirit," said a Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz.
Meanwhile, Slovenia striker Zlatko Dedic, who plays his club football for Bochum in Germany, scored the only goal just before the break.
Russia had won the first leg 2-1 in Moscow but Nejc Pecnik's goal two minutes from time gave Slovenia hope for Wednesday's return leg and they seized their chance to reach their first finals since 2002.
