Soccer-Bosnia to put boycotts behind them in Japan friendly

SARAJEVO Jan 16 (Reuters) - Players who boycotted Bosnia's national side last year in a row with their football association (NSBiH) have been included by the new coaching regime in a squad to face Japan in a friendly.

At least eight players had boycotted games and called on NSBiH officials to resign, arguing they had been elected because of ethnic affiliation and not professional qualifications.

Last month, the coaches of all Bosnia national sides were dismissed by the NSBiH, including senior team coach Fuad Muzurovic, while sport director Ahmet Pasalic resigned.

Bosnia's new coach, former national team captain Meho Kodro, named several foreign-based players on Wednesday who had boycotted games last year in an 18-man squad for the friendly against Japan on Jan. 31.

Kodro said the squad could change since the match in Japan is not on the FIFA calendar and clubs may not allow all the players to join up.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Kenan Hasagic (Buyuksehir), Almir Tolja (Saba Battery).

Defenders: Dzemal Berberovic (Litex Lovech), Emir Spahic (Lokomotiv Moscow), Branimir Bajic (Koblenz), Safet Nadarevic (Zagreb), Sasa Papac (Glasgow Rangers).

Midfielders: Elvir Rahimic (CSKA Moscow), Branislav Krunic (FC Moscow), Zlatan Bajramovic (Schalke), Zvjezdan Misimovic (Nuremberg), Ivica Grlic (Duisburg), Mirko Hrgovic (Hajduk Split), Darko Maletic (Partizan).

Forwards: Sejad Salihovic (TSG Hoffenheim), Senijad Ibricic (Zagreb), Zlatan Muslimovic (Atalanta), Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg). (Reporting by Maja Zuvela; editing by Trevor Huggins)