Tuesday 14 June 2011

Switzerland U21 2-0 Iceland U21




Switzerland put one foot in the Euro 21 Finals on Tuesday with a convincing 2-0 win over struggling Iceland in Aalborg.

Goals from Fabian Frei and Innocent Emeghara ensured that the side remain unbeaten in group A after already overcoming hosts Denmark on Saturday.

The Swiss started the strongest, and Iceland seldom looked like they would snatch anything from the game. Fabian Frei struck within the opening minute after a pin point pass from the highly skilful Xherdan Shaqiri to allow a fine finish on the half volley from 12 yards.

Before half time it was 2-0 after Frei fed Emeghara who smashed home from close range.

Eyjólfur Sverrisson did his best to propel his Icelandic team for the second half, but Switzerland keeper Yann Sommer made easy pickings of anything which came into his 12-yard-box and the Swiss controlled the game with an array of lucrative passing.

Iceland did see a half chance on 55 minutes when Frei did delightfully well to clear the ball off the line after Kolbeinn Sigthorsson had knocked it goalwards from Gylfi Sigurdsson's cross.

However, technically the Swiss proved too much for the inexperienced Icelandic team to deal with and Emerghara could of scored again but for the great work of Iceland keeper Haraldur Björnsson on 79 minutes.

Iceland now look set to bow out of the competition having already lost to Belarus by 2 goals in their opening game and facing Denmark on Saturday. Switzerland on the other hand will pose a threat in the semi-finals if their place there is confirmed as it appears to be.

Xhaka, Frei and Shaqiri provide a threat in midfield and link up effortlessly with forward Emeghara fashioning a team which for any squad in this competition, will be extremely difficult to beat.

Man of the Match:    Xherdan Shaqiri 10

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