Footballers lose to Norway in World Cup friendly

As the Swiss Under 17 team prepare for the final of the World Cup in Nigeria on Sunday evening, the national side has been beaten 1-0 by Norway in a World Cup warm-up.

Switzerland won its qualifying group for next year’s tournament in South Africa but failed to impress a home crowd that booed the team into the dressing room at the Stade de Genève on Saturday. Norway did not qualify for the World Cup.

Both sides started defensively and had few chances in the first half.

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld brought in four new players after the break, including Philippe Degen, who fouled Morten Gamst Pedersen in the 47th minute to give Norway a penalty. Carew converted into the lower left corner.

“We were challenged by a very defensive team,” Hitzfeld said after the match. “It was unlucky that we got the penalty shortly after halftime because the Norwegians weren’t strong in the offence.”

It is the first time the Swiss have lost in 14 months – since going down 2-1 to Luxembourg in September 2008.

Switzerland: Diego Benaglio, Philippe Senderos (Steve von Bergen, 45), Heinz Barmettler, Stephan Lichtsteiner (Philippe Degen, 45), Reto Ziegler, Gökhan Inler, Pirmin Schwegler, Benjamin Huggel (Valon Behrami, 61), Tranquillo Barnetta (David Degen, 61), Alexander Frei (Marco Streller, 45), Eren Derdiyok (Albert Bunjaku, 45).

Norway: Jon Knudsen, John Arne Riise, Kjetil Wahler, Brede Hangeland, Tom Hogli, Kristofer Haestad (Alexander Tettey, 65), Henning Hauger, Ciljan Skjelbred, Morten Gamst Pedersen, John Carew (Daniel Braaten, 78), Erik Huseklepp (Morten Moldskred, 40).

swissinfo.ch and agencies