Bring on Poland, says Sanchez as North stretch their unbeaten run

Switzerland 0 Northern Ireland 0

The Northern Irish produced their best result under Sanchez in holding Switzerland to a goalless draw at Zurich's Hardturm Stadium.

The Swiss controlled the first-half, although Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll was forced into just one notable save.

After the break however, it was Northern Ireland who could have won this friendly.

But Swiss number one Pascal Zuberbuhler denied both Preston striker David Healy and Hull's Stuart Elliott, while Portadown's Gary Hamilton powered a header over the bar.

In the 89th minute, though, Sanchez had luck on his side when Swiss substitute Andre Muff powered a header against the underside of the bar, with the ball landing on the line before the Irish frantically cleared.

It would have been rough justice on Sanchez and his squad if the Swiss had stolen the victory, but the draw proved a perfect tonic ahead of the World Cup qualifiers next month.

Northern Ireland are in the same group as England and Wales, but Sanchez's side first open up with a Belfast date against Poland.

"We should have won it in the second-half," said Sanchez.

"We had two great opportunities from set plays, but they had a chance right at the end when they hit the crossbar. We got away with it, so the result is a fair one, although I thought we were an awful lot better in the second-half than we were in the first.

"If we play in the qualifying games like we did in the first-half then we will finish bottom of the group with no points and no goals.

"But if we play like we did in the second then we've got a chance, so overall this was an encouraging performance and it's now six undefeated. But the biggest test is in two-and-a-half weeks' time. Bring on Poland."

Sanchez feels the players are gaining in confidence and added: "The mood is changing in the dressing room.

"They are thinking they are not going to get beaten and that's a big credit to them."

SWITZERLAND: Zuberbuhler, Haas, Muller, Murat Yakin (Henchoz 46), Spycher, Huggel (Magnin 46), Vogel (Lonfat 77), Wicky, Cabanas (Frei 82), Hakan Yakin, Vonlanthen (Muff 60).

NORTHERN IRELAND: Carroll, Aaron Hughes, Craigan (Duff 78), Williams (Murdock 67), Capaldi, Gillespie (McVeigh 51), Sonner, Johnson, Elliott (Brunt 81), Healy (Hamilton 71), Smith.

Referee: N. Vollquartz (Denmark).