Shaqiri magic condemns Irish to defeat
A piece of magic from Xherdan Shaqiri ensured John O’shea’s reign as interim Republic of Ireland head coach ended in disappointment as Switzerland eased to a 1-0 friendly victory in Dublin.
The Chicago Fire midfielder’s sweet 23rd-minute free-kick proved the difference between the sides, but did not fully reflect the control the visitors exerted on a night when Ireland, ranked 43 places below the Swiss, were unable to build upon Saturday’s creditable draw with Belgium.
If the game did represent the second half of an audition for the vacant manager’s job for O’shea after a groundswell of popular support – Roberto Di Matteo’s presence at the Aviva Stadium is understood to have been coincidental – it proved somewhat uncomfortableattimesbeforealate flurry raised spirits.
Ireland have now won just one of their last eight games inallcompetitions–andthat againstgibraltar–andwhile the victory was just a second innineattemptsforswitzerland,theyhavelostjustonce.
The Swiss took the lead in some style when, after Dara O’shea had been penalised for a trip on Zeki Amdouni on the edge of the penalty area, former Stoke and Liverpool player Shaqiri stepped up to curl a superb left-footed free-kick around the defensive wall and beyondgavinbazunu’sdive.
Switzerland’s slick interplay allowed them repeatedly to evade Ireland’s press and deny them possession for lengthy periods, in the process isolating Ireland frontman Evan Ferguson.
Swiss skipper Granit Xhaka–winninghis123rdsenior cap –also hit the post from distancetoleaveo’sheawith food for thought.