Ireland U21s squander two-goal lead

Republic of Ireland Under-21s 2 Switzerland Under-21s 3

Switzerland recovered from an early two-goal deficit as they beat a hapless Republic of Ireland side at Buckley Park, Kilkenny.

Ireland raced into a 2-0 lead after just eight minutes thanks to goals by Andy Reid and Liam Miller.

But a Pascal Cerrone goal before half-time gave the Swiss hope, late goals by Alain Rochat and substitute John Vonlanthen securing the three points for the visitors.

Don Givens’ side could not have asked for a better start as they took the lead after 57 seconds.

Thomas Butler sent Wes Houlihan clear down the right and he delivered a perfect low cross which was slotted home by Reid at the far post.

A second goal arrived in the eighth minute. It was a well worked goal with Houlihan sending Reid clear down the right with a pinpoint 50-yard pass.

The Nottingham Forest striker’s cross was only half cleared by the shaky Swiss defence to Houlihan and, when the ball broke lose, Miller rifled it home from 30 yards.

Phillipe Senderos made a fine inception after a Reid flick on looked like putting Jonathan Daly through.

Daly was thwarted again in the 29th minute when Alain Nef made a vital block when it looked like the Stockport striker was about to make it 3-0 after the ball ricocheted to him in the six yard box.

But Switzerland were coming more into the game with Andre Muff and Maxime Sanou both testing Joe Murphy though it was still Ireland who looked the more incisive in attack with Miller blazing over after being sent clear by a wonderful lofted pass by Reid.

But Ireland’s defence went to sleep in the final minutes of the half as they allowed Cerrone to head home unmarked at the far post after Daniel Gygax had broken free down the right.

And it could have 2-2 at half-time as Murphy pulled off an excellent save from Gygax.

Butler, a late addition to Mick McCarthy’s senior squad, was replaced at half-time by Michael Doyle and the new man was immediately in the action as he instigated a move which eventually led to Paul Tierney crossing for Graham Barrett whose header was easily grasped by Marco Wolfli.

Barrett was again at the heart of the action moments later when his snap shot from the edge of the area had Wolfli hurrying across his goalmouth though the striker’s effort was just inches wide.

Switzerland were also looking dangerous and Muff blasted just inches over after the ball had rebounded into his path off Doyle, though Houlihan will be disappointed he did not put Ireland 3-1 up when he raced into the box only for his shot to be deflected wide.

From the corner Daly flashed a header wide, but it was Switzerland who were next to threaten as Murphy was forced to make a wonderful save from Muff after the Lucerne striker was found unmarked in the six yard box by Cerrone’s cross.

Ireland responded with a fine move of their own as Daly’s flick on put Reid in one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his chipped effort flew over the bar.

Switzerland lifted their game in the closing 20 minutes, forcing a succession of corners, while the home defence also lost their discipline somewhat by giving away countless free-kicks.

From one free-kick, in the 75th minute, the visitors equalised.

Gygax’s inswinging cross from the right looked to be drifting to safety but Rochat headed the ball back over Murphy and into the net despite the best efforts of Clifford Byrne on the line.

Switzerland continued to dominate, though Ireland still looked threatening with Miller forcing a save out of Wolfli.

But it was the Swiss who grabbed the winning goal with four minutes remaining when Vonlanthen scored from an acute angle.