Friday October 7, 2011 Group Stage: Group G Finished The Liberty Stadium
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Euro 2012 qual. - Ramsey and Bale end Swiss hopes
Wales lifted themselves off the foot of Group G and ended Switzerland's hopes of Euro 2012 qualification with a 2-0 home win. More
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Live Commentary
Time:90'- Wales
- Switzerland
90' It finishes Wales 2-0 Switzerland; Wales' first win over the Swiss in 60 years.
90' That's it. the referee calls time on a superb win for an ever-improving Wales team. Massive win for Gary Speed's side.- 89' It's not Switzerland's night, you feel. Wales cruising to victory here.
- 88' Switzerland midfielder hits a decent low shot from 25 yards that strikes the base of the left-hand post.
- 86' Switzerland look shot of confidence at the moment. Having started so brightly they are toiling for a route back into this but Wales are standing firm.
83' Crofts (Wales) is shown a yellow card for a foul on the edge of the Welsh box. Switzerland pushing hard for a goal back here.
82' Wales substitution: Vaughan on, Crofts off- 81' Wales substitution: Church on, Morison off
- 78' Bellamy again cuts in from the left and again drags his shot wide. Trying too hard, you suspect, but Wales all over the ten men of Switzerland now.
- 76' That chance came about after a delicious flick from Bale to Gunter, by the way. Bale has been on another level tonight.
- 75' Switzerland get away with another penalty shout. This time Gunter's cross from the right appears to strike Klose on the arm - but the referee sees it and waves play on.
- 71' Surely it's all over for Switzerland now. Morison creates the chance by slipping a perfectly weighted ball into Bale's path and the Tottenham winger slips the ball past Benaglio and inside the far post. Lovely finish.
70' GOAL! Bale makes it 2-0!- 68' Ramsey attempts to pick out Bale with a clipped ball out to the right, but its slightly too far ahead of the Spurs man.
- 66' Bellamy looks desperate to get on the scoresheet tonight. Cutting in from the left again, he fires his effort straight at Benaglio.
- 64' Switzerland looking solid since the introduction of Rodriguez at left back, but Derdiyok looks isolated in attack since Shaqiri's withdrawal.
- 62' Switzerland sub: Rodriguez on, Shaqiri off. Surprising change by the visitors, Shaqiri has been their best player by a long way.
- 61' That's no less than Wales deserve and the 10 men of Switzerland are really against it now.
- 60' GOAL! Ramsey fires the penalty low through the middle and puts Wales ahead!
- 60' Gunter is tripped in the box by Klose and, this time, the referee points to the spot.
60' PENALTY TO WALES!- 59' Shaqiri, Switzerland's main attacking threat, has moved to left back to cover for Ziegler. Switzerland in disarray at the moment.
- 58' Quite a few 10 minutes here in Swansea!
- 57' Ziegler is shown a straight red card for a high tackle on Gunter. It was a bad one, catching Gunter flush on the shin, but the red card seems to have stunned everyone. Big call by the referee.
56' RED CARD: Ziegler (Switzerland)- 55' Clear penalty kick NOT given to Wales.
- 54' Bale is denied a cast-iron penalty! Unbelievable decision by the Dutch referee. Bale bursts into the box and Behrami leaves his leg out and Bale goes to ground. The referee was about 10 yards away but hasn't given it!
52' Goal ruled out for Switzerland! Derdiyok heads in Shaqiri's free-kick from the right but he is adjudged to be marginally offside. It was very close but probably the correct call.- 50' A Rory Delap-esque throw from Bale causes Switzerland goalkeeper Benaglio to drop the ball before Klose hacks it away.
- 48' Worrying moments for Wales at the start of this second half.
- 47' Wales win an early corner but Switzerland break and, within seconds, Shaqiri is breaking. He finds Derdiyok, whose shot is blocked by Taylor.
46' The second half is underway.
45' Join me in 15 minutes for the second half.- 45' Switzerland have dominated possession but you have to say those chances for Bellamy and, in particular, Morison, are the best of the half. Very finely balanced after an entertaining half in Swansea.
- 45' Bale limps back on just as the half time whistle sounds. It's 0-0 at the Liberty Stadium.
45' Bale has gone down clutching his knee after that challenge. The Liberty Stadium has fallen silent. Worrying moments for Gary Speed and, of course, Harry Redknapp...- 44' Bale attacks Switzerland defence with pace and purpose but is stopped just as he is about to shoot.
- 43' Bale embarrasses Ziegler with a wonderful Cruyff turn on the right wing. Unfortunately, Bale's teasing cross with his right foot finds an empty box.
- 41' Bellamy ties Von Bergen in knots before finding Ramsey, whose shot from the edge of the box is blocked crucially by Klose. Great block by the defender who's come in for the injured Djourou.
- 38' At the other end Derdiyok flashes a shot just wide from 20 yards. He was fed by Shaqiri, who Wales really need to keep quiet if they are to prevent conceding.
- 35' Great chance for Wales! Morison takes the ball down on his chest, takes brilliant touch to get the ball onto his left foot but is denied by an instinctive save by Benaglio from point-blank range. Big, big chance.
- 32' Bale is cynically blocked off by Inler, who gets away with it. The referee must have missed that, otherwise Inler would have been in the book for that.
- 30' Switzerland are back on top. Playing some really nice football but Wales are preventing them from creating many clear chances.
- 28' Frei gets ahead of Blake but heads Lichtsteiner's cross over the bar.
- 26' Encouraging for Wales. Bellamy is beginning to make a nuisance of himself.
- 25' Another good chance for Bellamy! A cross from Taylor is laid back to Bellamy by Allen but Bellamy snatches at his shot and it sails over the bar.
- 24' The direct approach working for Wales there.
- 23' Ashley Williams picks out Bellamy with an excellent long ball. Bellamy takes it on his chest before firing a shot from 20 yards, but drags it wide.
- 21' Somewhat tepid few moments at the moment. Wales seem to have steadied the ship, to some extent.
- 19' Bale tries to pick out Ramsey but his pass is slightly behind the Arsenal man and the chance dissolves. A ball wide to Bellamy may have been the option for Bale there.
- 18' Switzerland looking very accomplished so far. Keeping patient despite their need to win tonight. Wales looking good on the break but much of the football is being played in their half at the moment.
- 17' Inler wins a free-kick on the right and Shaqiri whips in a beautiful ball that takes a touch off a Wales head, but a goal kick is given.
- 16' Switzerland looking for Shaqiri at every opportunity, but this time his cross from the right sails over everyone.
- 14' Bale sets Wales moving with a wonderful pass. A nice move by the home side sees Ramsey collect the ball 25 yards out, but his shot is straight at Benaglio. Nice football by Wales, though.
- 12' Moments later Shaqiri looks for Frei with a tantalising ball from the left, but Wales clear. Just.
- 11' Wales really under pressure here. Shaqiri is in confident mood and lets fly from 25 yards but his shot is blocked by Blake.
- 10' At the other end, Lichtsteiner wins Switzerland a corner...
- 9' Great chance for Wales! Bellamy cuts in from the left and puts a superb ball into the box but Blake, in acres of space, puts his header well wide. First big chance of the game.
- 7' Bale pressures Klose into heading out of play for a Wales corner.
- 5' Switzerland have taken these game to the hosts in the early stages, with Shaqiri looking particularly dangerous. Wales struggling to get out of their own half at the moment.
- 3' Von Bergen picks up a very early yellow card after he catches Morison late. Definite foul but slightly harsh yellow card.
- 2' Switzerland win an early free-kick on the right and Shaqiri swings in a dangerous ball that goes straight out of play for a goal kick.
1' KICK OFF!- 19.44 There has been a late change to the Switzerland line-up: Senderos pulled up at the end of the warm-up meaning Von Bergen comes into replace him.
- 19.40 As we wait for the players to emerge from the tunnel on a chilly night in Swansea, be sure to tweet me, Michael Da Silva, your comments and I'll drop a few of them into the commentary...
- 19.35 WALES: Hennessey, Gunter, Blake, Ashley Williams, Taylor, Bale, Crofts, Ramsey, Allen, Bellamy, Morison. Subs: Myhill, Matthews, Nyatanga, Vaughan, Edwards, Robson-Kanu, Church. SWITZERLAND: Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Senderos, Klose, Ziegler, Frei, Inler, Shaqiri, Xhaka, Behrami, Derdiyok. Subs: Wolfli, Von Bergen, Degen, Rodriguez, Emeghara, Fernandes, Mehmedi.
- 19.30 The teams are in...
- 19.30 Wales boss Gary Speed: "I spoke to James (Collins), he had an injection in his foot before the game on Saturday and maybe he should not have played but James being James he did. He is struggling and has to let that settle down."
- 19.25 Wales have lost James Collins (knee), Joe Ledley and Danny Collins (both groin) due to injury, so Gary Speed has called up Jonathan Williams of Crystal Palace and Bristol City's Lewin Nyatanga to bolster his squad. James Collins was dropped against England in September in any case and Speed is likely to stick with Darcy Blake and Ashley Williams in the centre of defence.
- 19.20 Curiously, Wales have now gone 33 games without a draw in all competitions.
- 19.15 Switzerland boss Ottmar Hitzfeld: “We had a difficult start but I have always believed in my team. We have the chance to qualify for the play-offs. We want to win against Wales. We do not want to rely on England beating Montenegro."
- 19.10 The Swiss have won all three previous European qualifiers against Wales, netting eight goals and conceding just one.
- 19.05 Wales are hoping they can move off the foot of Group G with a win but it won't be easy - Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side are unbeaten in seven internationals, winning three and drawing four.
- 19.00 Hello everyone. Welcome to live coverage of this Euro 2012 qualifier between Wales and Switzerland at the Liberty Stadium.
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Summary
- 90' It finishes Wales 2-0 Switzerland; Wales' first win over the Swiss in 60 years.
- 88' Switzerland midfielder hits a decent low shot from 25 yards that strikes the base of the left-hand post.
- 75' Switzerland get away with another penalty shout. This time Gunter's cross from the right appears to strike Klose on the arm - but the referee sees it and waves play on.
- 71' Surely it's all over for Switzerland now. Morison creates the chance by slipping a perfectly weighted ball into Bale's path and the Tottenham winger slips the ball past Benaglio and inside the far post. Lovely finish.
- 70' GOAL! Bale makes it 2-0!
- 60' GOAL! Ramsey fires the penalty low through the middle and puts Wales ahead!
- 60' Gunter is tripped in the box by Klose and, this time, the referee points to the spot.
- 60' PENALTY TO WALES!
- 57' Ziegler is shown a straight red card for a high tackle on Gunter. It was a bad one, catching Gunter flush on the shin, but the red card seems to have stunned everyone. Big call by the referee.
- 56' RED CARD: Ziegler (Switzerland)
- 54' Bale is denied a cast-iron penalty! Unbelievable decision by the Dutch referee. Bale bursts into the box and Behrami leaves his leg out and Bale goes to ground. The referee was about 10 yards away but hasn't given it!
- 52' Goal ruled out for Switzerland! Derdiyok heads in Shaqiri's free-kick from the right but he is adjudged to be marginally offside. It was very close but probably the correct call.
- 47' Wales win an early corner but Switzerland break and, within seconds, Shaqiri is breaking. He finds Derdiyok, whose shot is blocked by Taylor.
- 45' Switzerland have dominated possession but you have to say those chances for Bellamy and, in particular, Morison, are the best of the half. Very finely balanced after an entertaining half in Swansea.
- 38' At the other end Derdiyok flashes a shot just wide from 20 yards. He was fed by Shaqiri, who Wales really need to keep quiet if they are to prevent conceding.
- 35' Great chance for Wales! Morison takes the ball down on his chest, takes brilliant touch to get the ball onto his left foot but is denied by an instinctive save by Benaglio from point-blank range. Big, big chance.
- 25' Another good chance for Bellamy! A cross from Taylor is laid back to Bellamy by Allen but Bellamy snatches at his shot and it sails over the bar.
- 23' Ashley Williams picks out Bellamy with an excellent long ball. Bellamy takes it on his chest before firing a shot from 20 yards, but drags it wide.
- 9' Great chance for Wales! Bellamy cuts in from the left and puts a superb ball into the box but Blake, in acres of space, puts his header well wide. First big chance of the game.
- 19.35 WALES: Hennessey, Gunter, Blake, Ashley Williams, Taylor, Bale, Crofts, Ramsey, Allen, Bellamy, Morison. Subs: Myhill, Matthews, Nyatanga, Vaughan, Edwards, Robson-Kanu, Church. SWITZERLAND: Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Senderos, Klose, Ziegler, Frei, Inler, Shaqiri, Xhaka, Behrami, Derdiyok. Subs: Wolfli, Von Bergen, Degen, Rodriguez, Emeghara, Fernandes, Mehmedi.
Team Line-up & Ratings
WalesManager: Gary Speed
SwitzerlandManager: Ottmar Hitzfeld
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Line-up
Live Team Line-Up
Starting line-up
- W. Hennessey
- C. Gunter
- N. Taylor
- A. Crofts
- D. Blake
- A. Williams
- A. Ramsey
- J. Allen
- G. Bale
- S. Morison
- C. Bellamy
Subs
Starting line-up
- D. Benaglio
- S. Lichtsteiner
- R. Ziegler
- S. Von Bergen
- T. Klose
- V. Behrami
- F. Frei
- G. Inler
- G. Xhaka
- X. Shaqiri
- E. Derdiyok
Subs
- D. Degen
- M. Wölfli
- G. Fernandes
- A. Mehmedi
81′ - R. Rodriguez 62′
- I. Emeghara 71′
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