Swiss boss hopes to repeat history

SWITZERLAND will be hoping to repeat recent history on Wednesday when they travel to Dublin for a decisive World Cup qualifying match against Ireland.

Following their impressive 1-1 draw at home to France on Saturday the Swiss can virtually guarantee top spot in European qualifying group four - and an automatic berth at next year’s finals in Germany - by beating the Irish at Lansdowne Road.

Unbeaten in 12 games, Koebi Kuhn’s men will also be on something of a roll against the Republic. They beat Ireland home and away during their successful qualifying campaign for Euro 2004 before drawing 1-1 in their September 2004 World Cup qualifier in Basel.

“We’ll certainly bear in mind the fact that we beat Ireland the last time we played them in Dublin,” Kuhn said after the Swiss teams’ return to their training camp outside Zurich.

“But we will also be aware we’ll be taking on a team who are not easy to beat, who throw everything they have into their matches and who possess a great fighting spirit.

“The atmosphere in Dublin will be like a cauldron but there will be pressure on the Irish too as they have to win to have any chance of reaching the finals.

“I think it will come down to which team has recovered best from Saturday’s matches, who has the better stamina and who copes best with the situation.”

Unlike Ireland, Switzerland would be guaranteed at least a play-off spot as group runners-up in the event of a draw - although Kuhn is playing down any effect this might have on his tactics.

“Our primary aim will of course be to win. Knowing we cannot afford to lose might have some bearing later on in the match but we’re not the sort of team who can play for a 0-0 draw - that’s not our style.”

With Switzerland, France and Ireland all capable of topping group four and Israel still in the hunt for second, Kuhn also insisted he would not worry be worrying about the scoreline of Saturday’s other group four match between France and Cyprus.

“For me, it’s clear that the French will win that match which means we’ll be level on points - provided we beat Ireland.

“But if we do win, the French will have to score at least four more goals that we do, which I don’t think will be an easy matter against Cyprus.

“Our attention will just have to be on beating Ireland.”

Kuhn hinted his starting line-up in Dublin would be similar to the one he named against France with any changes likely to depend on how well individual players have recovered from Saturday’s exertions.