Showing posts with label Switzerland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Switzerland. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Goalless draw sends Swiss out
Group H, 18:30 GMT, June 25, 2010
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Switzerland
0 - 0
Honduras
Man of the Match: Edgar Alvarez - In a game short of quality, there were no genuine standout players, but Alvarez was lively and direct for Honduras on the right wing and could easily have provided a winner for the underdogs.
Switzerland verdict: Having shown they could soak up the pressure and sneak a goal against Spain, the pressure was on to show they could take the game to the opposition in this must-win game, but they were far too negative and lacked any sort of cutting edge. They improved slightly when Hakan Yakin was introduced to provide a decent ball into the box, but they lacked quality options to convert them.
Honduras verdict: They were always going to be playing for pride but, playing on the counter-attack, they looked the better team for much of the night. Edgar Alvarez and Ramon Nunez threatened to cause problems and they attacked at pace, but a lack of belief and poor final balls meant they were unable to clinch a shock win.
Could do better: Blaise Nkufo - The veteran Switzerland striker has been a consistent performer for his country but he failed to deliver when it really mattered. He looked cumbersome throughout the game, wasting a decent opening in the first half and generally failing to provide a threat, although the same charge could be levelled at many of his team-mates.
Stat attack: This was the first 0-0 draw for Honduras in their World Cup history. It was the third for the Swiss, with two coming in 2006.
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Switzerland
0 - 0
Honduras
The dream is over for Switzerland in the World Cup after they failed to build on their superb victory against European champions Spain in their opening game.
Swiss Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld knew if his side achieved a two-goal win in this Group H match then they would progress to the second round, but they were toothless and had to settle for a point against Honduras, who are also going home after failing to find the target in the tournament.
Scoring Summary
Man of the Match: Edgar Alvarez
MATCH SUMMARY
Friday, June 25, 2010
Chile vs Spain - Preview
Chile
v
Spain
Group H, 18:30 GMT, June 25, 2010
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa
With one game remaining, both Chile and Spain could top the group, qualify in second or take an early flight home. A dramatic contest awaits.
With Ottmar Hitzfeld's side expected to beat Honduras, a draw against Chile could prove terminal for the Spanish.
It would be a huge shock if a team boasting the most technically-gifted midfield in world football and the attacking talents of David Villa and Fernando Torres were to be eliminated, but that is the scenario haunting Del Bosque. Relief comes with the news that Andres Iniesta is likely to return from injury and he could replace Jesus Navas in an advanced role.Meanwhile, despite winning their opening two games, Chile have not guaranteed qualification and they will be eliminated if they lose and Switzerland beat Honduras while making up a goal difference deficit of two. Marcelo Bielsa's side are also deprived of Matias Fernandez and Carlos Carmona due to suspension, so there is real cause for concern.
Chile player to watch: Alexis Sanchez. Hardly an original choice given he has been his country's standout performer in wins over Honduras and Switzerland, but Friday's game gives Sanchez the chance to make his mark on one of the tournament favourites. Blessed with pace and superior technique, the winger is a dazzling presence in the Chile side and rumours of a possible move to Real Madrid are likely to gather pace if he can unlock Spain.
Spain player to watch: Iker Casillas. Not long ago, Casillas was regarded as the finest goalkeeper in the world but his reputation has taken a minor battering of late. His performances in South Africa have been unconvincing and with Chile impressing in their first two victories, the Real Madrid 'keeper may have to rediscover his best form if his country are to progress to the knockout stages. Though he is a favourite of Vicente del Bosque, Casillas needs to prove why he is chosen ahead of Jose Reina and Victor Valdes.Key battle: Claudio Bravo v David Villa. The Chile 'keeper has only had to make three saves in the tournament so far following 1-0 wins over Honduras and Switzerland, and in Villa he comes up against one of the premier predators in world football. Villa scored twice in a 2-0 defeat of Honduras, the first a superb finish, and having missed the chance to claim a hat-trick when poking a penalty wide, he will be looking to make amends and improve his chances of winning the Golden Boot. He is available after FIFA took no action following his spat with Emilio Izaguirre of Honduras.Trivia: If Spain and Switzerland both win, then three teams will finish level on six points. No team has ever been knocked out with six points in the history of the World Cup. When wins were worth two points, Algeria were knocked out with four points following an infamous 1-0 win for West Germany against Austria that saw both teams qualify.Stats: Having not won a World Cup game for 48 years, Chile are now looking to make it three from three in the group stage.Odds: Chile (7.00), the draw (4.20) and Spain (1.50) with Bet365 A 2-2 draw is 21.00.Prediction: Spain surely have too much class to go home this early. They will dig out a win, but only just.
Cheers For Villa,Torres,Fabregas,Iniesta and Casillas :)
v
Spain
Group H, 18:30 GMT, June 25, 2010
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa
With one game remaining, both Chile and Spain could top the group, qualify in second or take an early flight home. A dramatic contest awaits.
With Ottmar Hitzfeld's side expected to beat Honduras, a draw against Chile could prove terminal for the Spanish.
It would be a huge shock if a team boasting the most technically-gifted midfield in world football and the attacking talents of David Villa and Fernando Torres were to be eliminated, but that is the scenario haunting Del Bosque. Relief comes with the news that Andres Iniesta is likely to return from injury and he could replace Jesus Navas in an advanced role.Meanwhile, despite winning their opening two games, Chile have not guaranteed qualification and they will be eliminated if they lose and Switzerland beat Honduras while making up a goal difference deficit of two. Marcelo Bielsa's side are also deprived of Matias Fernandez and Carlos Carmona due to suspension, so there is real cause for concern.
Team Stat Comparison
Competition Stats
Chile player to watch: Alexis Sanchez. Hardly an original choice given he has been his country's standout performer in wins over Honduras and Switzerland, but Friday's game gives Sanchez the chance to make his mark on one of the tournament favourites. Blessed with pace and superior technique, the winger is a dazzling presence in the Chile side and rumours of a possible move to Real Madrid are likely to gather pace if he can unlock Spain.
Spain player to watch: Iker Casillas. Not long ago, Casillas was regarded as the finest goalkeeper in the world but his reputation has taken a minor battering of late. His performances in South Africa have been unconvincing and with Chile impressing in their first two victories, the Real Madrid 'keeper may have to rediscover his best form if his country are to progress to the knockout stages. Though he is a favourite of Vicente del Bosque, Casillas needs to prove why he is chosen ahead of Jose Reina and Victor Valdes.Key battle: Claudio Bravo v David Villa. The Chile 'keeper has only had to make three saves in the tournament so far following 1-0 wins over Honduras and Switzerland, and in Villa he comes up against one of the premier predators in world football. Villa scored twice in a 2-0 defeat of Honduras, the first a superb finish, and having missed the chance to claim a hat-trick when poking a penalty wide, he will be looking to make amends and improve his chances of winning the Golden Boot. He is available after FIFA took no action following his spat with Emilio Izaguirre of Honduras.Trivia: If Spain and Switzerland both win, then three teams will finish level on six points. No team has ever been knocked out with six points in the history of the World Cup. When wins were worth two points, Algeria were knocked out with four points following an infamous 1-0 win for West Germany against Austria that saw both teams qualify.Stats: Having not won a World Cup game for 48 years, Chile are now looking to make it three from three in the group stage.Odds: Chile (7.00), the draw (4.20) and Spain (1.50) with Bet365 A 2-2 draw is 21.00.Prediction: Spain surely have too much class to go home this early. They will dig out a win, but only just.
Cheers For Villa,Torres,Fabregas,Iniesta and Casillas :)
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