Four more games with a similar script. I like winning but let's put the games out of reach a bit sooner eh? I also like that Petkovic is not scheduling any useless friendlies. Gives the players some downtime and might position us better for the UEFA Nations League.
I agree get the 2nd goal earlier then let Andorra and Faroe Islands attack, soak up the pressure then catch them out of position. Even as small as these nations are, one mistake and a 1-0 match becomes 1-1 and then they defend with 11.
Over 15,600 of the 27,000 tickets for the Swiss vs Lithuania match in Geneve have already been sold. Still over a month away and it looks like they will pass the 16,900 for the Cyprus match.
Something to keep your eyes on, Chadric Akolo is in the process of getting his Swiss passport. He has publicly stated his desire to represent Switzerland on the International stage. He and Embolo would make quite a potent strike force.
1-0 over Latvia. Drmic with the goal as a substitute. The Swiss stay ahead of Portugal who is scoring a lot more goals than the Swiss. To win the group, the Swiss will need to stay perfect with only a draw at Portugal. Portugal will win the Goal Differential if they tie on points.
Swiss defeat Belarus 1-0 in a friendly with a goal by Xhaka. It was a pretty boring match, and I forgot to post it was so uneventful. Next match is Friday at the Faroe Islands.
0-2 win over the Faroe Islands. Goals by Xhaka and Shaqiri. Portugal won as well. But Andorra defeated Hungary!
Group B Standings: Switzerland 18 pts +9 Portugal 15 +19 Hungary 7 1 Faroe Islands 5 -8 Andorra 4 -11 Latvia 3 -10 Matchday 7 - 31 August Switzerland - Andorra Hungary - Latvia Portugal - Faroe Islands Matchday 8 - 3 September Latvia - Switzerland Hungary - Portugal Faroe Islands - Andorra
Team for Andorra and Latvia Keeper: Roman Bürki (Borussia Dortmund), Marwin Hitz (Augsbourg) Yann Sommer (Borussia Mönchengladbach) Defenders: Manuel Akanji (Basel) Johan Djourou (Antalyaspor) Nico Elvedi (Borussia Mönchengladbach) Michael Lang (Basel) Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus) François Moubandjé (Toulouse) Ricardo Rodriguez (Milan AC) Fabian Schär (La Corogne) Midfielders and forwards Valon Behrami (Udinese) Eren Derdiyok (Galatasaray) Blerim Dzemaili (Impact de Montréal) Edimilson Fernandes (West Ham) Gelson Fernandes (Eintracht Francfort) Remo Freuler (Atalanta) Admir Mehmedi (Bayer Leverkusen) Haris Seferovic (Benfica) Xherdan Shaqiri (Stoke City) Granit Xhaka (Arsenal) Denis Zakaria (Borussia Mönchengladbach) Vladimir Petkovic named the 23-player-squad for the two #worldcupqualifiers against #Andorre and #Latvia ✊😀🇨🇭 #RoadToRussia #SUIAND #LVASUI pic.twitter.com/AI0DCpuVbq— 🇨🇭 Nati (@nati_sfv_asf) August 25, 2017 Steven Zuber (Hoffenheim)
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y...st-team-in-switzerland-s-history-2905816.html is titled "Dzemaili: This is the best team in Switzerland’s history."
Switzerland leads Andorra 3-0 in the 74th minute. The game was interrupted and resumed according to Flash Score. I don't know why.
Lots and lots and lots of rain. The entire half-time was spent with squeegees on the pitch trying to the water off to make it playable. Lots of standing water as well. Passes on the ground would stop about half the way to their intended target. In the conditions, the Swiss played well. This should give you an idea of how bad it was.
0-3 win in Latvia. Hungary almost had Portugal. That would have been awesome! They need to beat Hungary now at home to set up the anticipated winner take all vs Portugal.
6 points would be great, but I would happily take 4. That would give them the automatic qualification. First order of business, Hungary.
That was a dud by Switzerland. Draw 17 October Possible teams Sweden Northern Ireland Ireland Greece Switzerland should defeat all 4.
The Swiss get Northern Ireland. This is a great draw. 9 Nov - In Belfast 12 Nov - In Switzerland (I would assume Basel)