Point will put Swiss in control, says Kuhn

DESPITE dropping two valuable points in Tirana at the weekend, Swiss coach Jakob “Kobi” Kuhn believes a draw in Lansdowne Road tonight will keep Switzerland in pole position to qualify for Portugal in what is already shaping up to be a very tight group.

Once again yesterday, Kuhn had to face a raft of questions from the large contingent of disgruntled Swiss journalists upset at the way their team’s lead evaporated in Albania. Kuhn was insistent that any return from tonight’s game will leave Switzerland in the most favourable position in the group.

“A draw will be much better for us than for Ireland,” said Kuhn, who answered questions confidently in three languages. “And it is a result we are capable of getting. Unlike the Albanian game, where they just defended for 90 minutes, the Irish will have to attack because they lost in Moscow. That will leave it open for us to counter-attack.”

Like his Irish counterpart, Kuhn would not divulge any details of his line-up, although he did hint there could be two possible changes. These may be in attack, where the Swiss were so profligate on Saturday evening.

“I have an idea of my line-up, but I am not going to communicate it, until I have communicated it to my players. I am currently looking at perhaps, two changes, but I am not sure yet. We have no injuries, and everyone, both tactically and personally, is available for selection.”

Still, most people remained on the hunt for answers on what happened at the weekend.

“When you look at the action between the two boxes, it is probably the correct result. They were a better team than we expected, but if you look at the chances that were created in the box, then we were the better team.

“So, the result is a disappointment but it is something we have to accept because we did not take the chances that we were presented with.”

The 59-year-old coach realises the task awaiting his side. Like everyone else in the Swiss squad, he was impressed by the way Ireland turned adversity into advantage in the World Cup and anticipates a tough match.

“I have seen this Irish team play several times in the World Cup and in Moscow. I am very impressed by how they play and what they are doing on the pitch, their style of play is very impressive.

“I was impressed by the partnership of Duff and Keane in Japan, they worked so hard for each other and they were also very efficient,” Kuhn remarked, elaborating on how Switzerland hope to deal with that threat. “I think it will be important for the team to play as high as possible tonight, and not too close to our own goal.”

While the Swiss may come with an “offside game” policy, it might be dangerous for Ireland to adopt a similar tack. With Stephane Henchoz out injured and Stefane Chapuisat’s attacking powers fading a little, Basle’s Hakan Yakin poses Switzerland’s most potent threat.

Yakin plays the conventional role of a continental playmaker, but also likes to drift as high up as the opposition defence will allow.

The Swiss have quality spread across their side. Their central defensive partnership of Murat Yakin and Patrick Muller will ensure that Henchoz’s absence isn’t keenly felt, while their two wingers have flair and pace.

Switzerland (probable line-up): Stiel; Haas, Murat Yakin, Muller, Magnin; Cabanas, Vogel, Wicky; Hakan Yakin; Frei, Chapuisat.