Bangalore, June 17: Bosnia-Herzegovina, who put up a spirited fight against two-time champions Argentina in their World Cup debut in Rio de Janeiro on June 15, had come to India in early 2001 to participate in a multi-team tournament called the Millennium Super Soccer Cup. The tournament was, however, marred by sudden withdrawals by some teams and also ordinary management by the authorities. The matches were played in Kolkata, Kochi and Goa.

Schedule; News; Photos

[Read: Argentina beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-1, Messi scores]

Bosnia-Herzegovina, just a nine-year-old independent country then, had come as a replacement for New Zealand which withdrew its name and were clubbed with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (now Serbia) and Bangladesh in Group 1 of the tournament.

The Bosnians had beat Bangladesh 2-0 (Ahmedin Hota scored both the goals) while drew 1-1 with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Mirsad Beslija was the scorer), of which it was a part earlier. The fourth participant of the group, Iraq, had withdrawn without citing any reason.

Bosnia used 13 years to make it to the highest stage, why couldn't India?

In the quarter final, Bosnia-Herzegovina defeated Uruguay (B team) 3-2 in the extra time. Zehrudin Kavazovic, Dzelaludin Muharemovic and Beslija scored for the Bosnians in a match which looked going against their favour till the 83rd minute.

Bosnia went past Chile 1-0 in the semifinal with the help of a late goal from Muharemovic.

Bosnia, however, lost to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia for the second time in the tournament when they went down 0-2 to them in the final held in Kolkata.

<center>Dream come true: Bosnia-Herzegovina's Vedad Ibisevic celebrates after scoring his side's first WC goal during a group F match against Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil on Sunday, June 15, 2014. PTI</center>

Oneindia News