Swiss hammered in World Cup warm-up
Switzerland's footballers suffered a 4-0 thrashing in a friendly match against Poland in Cyprus on Wednesday, which casts further doubt on the team's chances of qualifying for the 2002 World Cup.
Poland beat the Swiss side in the World Cup warm-up match with two goals in the first half from Emmanuel Olizadebe and Barosz Karwan and two more in the second from Tomasz Hajto and Pawel Kryszalowicz. The third goal was a penalty after a foul by Henchoz.
The Swiss team put up a poor performance and only created one real shot on goal in the 90th minute from newcomer, Giorgio Contini.
The Polish team had little trouble moving through Switzerland’s weak defence, while the Swiss midfield failed to exert any influence on the game. They were not helped by the leg injury of Alexandre Comisetti who was taken off in the seventh minute and replaced by Yvan Quentin.
The Swiss coach, Enzo Trossero, said he was not looking for excuses for the team’s disgraceful performance and that he could not criticise individual players. He said he had never known such a severe disappointment and that he should take some of the responsibility for the result.
The humiliating defeat marks the first time in 10 years that Switzerland has lost by such a large magin. They last lost 4-0 to Germany in December 1990.
Wednesday’s match was part of Switzerland’s preparations for their next two World Cup qualifying matches, but the result does not augur well for their chances.
On March 24 Enzo Trossero’s men will face a demanding match in Yugoslavia. Four days later they are at home to Luxembourg.
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