Yellow peril for Swiss in Moscow

SEVEN Swiss players will walk a yellow-card tightrope in Moscow on Wednesday, knowing that a booking against Russia will rule them out of the final Group 10 clash with Ireland next month.

Those at risk of suspension include five of Switzerland’s key men - central defender Murat Yakin, midfielders Ricardo Cabanas and Raphael Wicky and twin strikers Alexander Frei and Stephane Chapuisat. The other players in danger are full-back Bruno Berner and utility man Mario Cantaluppi.

“The players know what they have to do in Moscow and what they must avoid,” assistant manager Michel Pont said yesterday, as the Swiss learned that left-back Ludovic Magnin is likely to miss the trip to Moscow due to a training injury. Goalkeeper Jorg Stiel and playmaker Hakan Yakin are also out injured, while right-back Bernt Haas is serving a one-match suspension.

Switzerland have suffered 12 yellow cards in six Group 10 matches to date, resulting in three suspensions, while Russia will kick off with four players in danger of missing the final game against Georgia on October 11.

Ireland has the best disciplinary record of the top three teams, with six cautions in seven outings and only one suspension (Kenny Cunningham).