From confirmations to enduring doubt

Switzerland defeated Chili in a lacklustre game where some weaknesses arose.

Switzerland: Zuberbühler; P. Degen, Djourou (46th Eggimann), Senderos, Magnin; Behrami (46th Vonlanthen), Celestini, Inler (87th Huggel), Barnetta (74th Spycher); Margairaz (65th Yakin); Nkufo (46th Streller).

Chili: Bravo; Alvarez (87th Fierro), Riffo, Fuentes, Vidal (66th Estrada); Iturra, Isla (66th Jimenez); Fernandez; Sanchez, Suazo (84th Salas), Rubio.

Ernst Happel Stadion, Wien. Attendance: 2500 . Referee: Stuchlik (Aut). Goals: 13th Barnetta 1-0. 44th Sanchez 1-1. 55th Streller 2-1.

The game:
A typical friendly game: slow rhythms, very few emotions. Barnetta scored after a beautiful setpiece involving Behrami, Inler, Margairaz and Degen. This was his 6th goal as a Swiss National. Chili came back with a goal by Sanchez, yet in the second half Switzerland controlled the game and got the three points by an encouraging goal by Streller with the aid of Vonlanthen. The two strikers seem to have found their place anew.

The bad news came from the back. Zuberbuehler’s mistake on the Chilean goal might very well cost him his place at Euro 2008. Despite a decent form showed during the Championship under the colours of Neuchatel Xamax the experienced goalkeeper might not gain the trust he needs after his second serious mistake (following the one against Brazil). Degen didn’t play too well and most of Chili’s dangerous attacks came from his side.

Kuhn said: Individually the players didn’t do their best but as a team we got the result we were looking for.

Yet confirmation was sought for in the game against Japan. Yet the second half proved to be disastrous.

Switzerland - Japan 3-4 (2-0)

Japan: Kawaguchi; Kaji, Nakazawa, M. Tanaka, Komano; Suzuki, Inamoto; S. Nakamura (90th K. Nakamura), Endo (87th Sato), Matsui (71th Yamagishi); Maki (80th Yano).

Despite being without Frei, Streller and Degen Switzerland played the perfect first half against Japan.
The beginning was promising. Magnin and Vonlanthen were irresistible and it was the Vaudois who scored the opening goal on a beautiful free-kick.

N’Kufo scored on a penalty (hand touch by by Tanaka) scoring his first goal since 2002! What a promising start.

But Behrami was there to ruin it all. After a confident game against Chili, the Lazio player caused Japan’s first and second penalty (third goal) and was responsible for Maki’s header for the 2-2 score. Yet Djourou scored the equaliser (his first goal) at the 80th minute but not even Benaglio’s impressive save could deny the defeat. In extra-time he could only put the ball on Yano’s feat for Japan’s deserved winner.

What can one say about this game. Disappointed first of all. The Von Bergen - Senderos duo worked quite well showing that we do have players who can handle the back and Inler rapidly becoming one of the most promising players. Djourou’s first goal, Benaglio’s good game (despite 4 goals) and N’Kufo’s goal are all positive elements yet what Switzerland lacks is concentration. The games against Argentina, Netherlands and Chili had given us hope that the 2006 post-World Cup crisis was over. Was this just one small break or are those worrying problems still there?

Perhaps we’ll find out during Switzerland’s next friendly: against Austria on the 13th of October in Zurich.

(Comments are allowed now and I apologize for taking so long this time, university exams prevented me from being more active)Barnetta in action during the Austria tournament.