Bolton striker gives U21s win over Swiss

Switzerland Under-21 0 Republic Under-21 2

Bolton striker Jon Walters scored two goals on his debut to stun the Group 10 leaders and make it a very happy return to Neuchatel for manager Don Givens.

It was the perfect way for Givens to celebrate being awarded a new two-year contract, and it showed there are some bright youngsters emerging for the Republic of Ireland.

Givens played for the final eight years of his career at Neuchatel Xamax, and when he retired in 1987 he went on to coach the club for two years.

So it was an emotional return to the Stade de la Maladiere for the former Republic striker as his experimental team blitzed the Swiss with goals from Walters after 61 and 74 minutes.

Givens handed debuts to three of Gerry Smyth’s Under-20 squad – Blackburn’s John Fitzgerald, Paul Keegan of Leeds and Walters – as the Irish attempted to take a glimpse into the future and also aid preparations for the Under-20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in November and December.

The Irish weathered an early storm from the Swiss, who went into this final qualifier with six wins from the previous seven games of the campaign.

Stefan Lichsteiner showed quick feet on the right of the box to set up striker Johan Volanthen to drive a low shot just inches wide of Dan Connor’s upright after two minutes.

Ireland were on the back foot and might have been punished when Alain Rochet hit a half chance over the bar after eight minutes.

The visitors’ first real chance came after 18 minutes but Swiss stopper Marco Wolfli reacted smartly to the threat of Sunderland’s Sean Thornton who was looking to get on the end Wes Hoolahan’s corner from close range.

Ireland’s confidence was up and Thornton was in the thick of it again after 22 minutes when he played in Stephen Elliott but his shot from six yards was brilliantly blocked with a last ditch Swiss tackle.

Ireland did well to frustrate their hosts and created three good chances before the break.

Walters met Elliott’s cross with a powerful volley which hit the bar and flew over, then on the half hour Elliott collected Hoolahan’s pass but screwed a left foot drive wide from 20 yards.

Three minutes before the break Borussia Dortmund full-back Patrick Kohlmann hit a left foot rocket from distance which flew wide, before the Swiss came closest to breaking the deadlock from the restart.

Vonlanthen latched on to a long clearance and played in strike partner Andre Muff but his shot missed the post by inches.

Ireland gained in confidence after the break and were rewarded with a deserved opener after 61 minutes.

It was route one football but that hardly mattered as Tottenham full-back Stephen Kelly got free down the right and put in a deep cross to the far post for Walters to rise highest and power home a bullet header.

Ireland, beaten 3-2 at home by the Swiss almost 12 months ago to the day, were keen for revenge and Thornton almost doubled their advantage three minutes later.

He cut in from the right and unleashed a powerful left foot drive which forced goalkeeper Wolfli to get down well and claim.

Ireland’s sensational victory was complete when Walters scored with another header after 74 minutes.

This time Shelbourne’s Hoolahan was the provider with a corner which Walters finished from close range.

Both sets of fans reserved the biggest roar of the evening for Walters when he was replaced eight minutes from the end.