SWITZERLAND N IRELAND
Xhaka cannot believe Irish fans are still moaning about referee Ovidiu Hategan’s blunder which has given the Swiss the edge going into today’s play-off second leg.
Hategan wrongly pointed to the spot for a Corry Evans’ handball when Xherdan Shaqiri’s volley hit his back.
Xhaka insists the Swiss were the better side on Thursday and will prove that again – without the help of the ref.
“To discuss the penalty, and whether it was a penalty or not, that’s the decision of the referee and not of interest to us,” said the Gunners midfielder. “I don’t know why it’s such a big topic or why there is so much discussion around it.
“I think we have to leave it. I think we were the better team.
“We want to show that again in the second leg and qualify.
“I think we are a good team and maybe a better team overall when compared to Northern Ireland.”
Xhaka claims the Swiss still have work to do before they can celebrate their 11th qualification for a World Cup final tournament – and fourth in a row. He expects a response from Northern Ireland, but is confident that Switzerland can finish the job at St Jakob Park, where they have not lost a competitive game since being beaten by England in September 2014. “It is difficult to play Northern Ireland, defensively they are very strong. But we dealt with them,” Xhaka said. “The second leg is different. Both teams will act differently, but we’re well prepared and confident of victory.” Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic also seemed bemused at being quizzed about Hategan and bizarrely claimed the official’s performance had been “good”. He said that the Romanian also made