Swiss are rewarded for ‘mature performance’
SWITZERLAND coach Murat Yakin hailed a mature display from his team as they opened their World Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Cameroon in Group G.
Breel Embolo, who was born in Cameroon, scored the only goal when he stroked home Xherdan Shaqiri’s low cross.
The 25-year-old’s celebrations were understandably muted, but his goal was nevertheless vital for the Swiss, who will be aiming to at least match their quarter-final appearance at Euro 2020 last summer.
Cameroon had the upper hand in the first half but Switzerland started the second half well, with Embolo’s goal coming in the 48th minute.
Switzerland coach Yakin said: “Of course, you need patience. It was a mature performance. There is some uncertainty in a World Cup, not everything can go well from the start, but I’m happy with the possession, with how we got it converted.
“Maybe 1-0 or 2-0 is not sufficient for my taste, maybe we could have scored more goals, but all in all we had a mature performance.”
Asked about Embolo’s reaction to scoring, Yakin said: “We know his story, his past in Cameroon, and Breel, you can be friendly up to the kick-off and then afterwards they are going to be your opponents and we need you in our team.
“You’ve got an opponent, of course he wants to score a goal for his team and he fulfilled his task, so we are really happy about this.
“He also had very good moments during the match, his dynamics and his movements. Breel fulfilled his task well.”
Cameroon coach Rigobert Song said his team had been punished for not being clinical enough.
Karl Toko Ekambi and Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting were guilty of wasting good openings in a first half Cameroon had the better of.
“Generally in football, when you’re dominating you need to hit the net,” Song said.
“Yes, we had more opportunities than they did (in the first half) but we didn’t have that finishing touch. That was what made the difference.
“We showed we were hungry for that win, but the goal simply didn’t come. We are playing high-level football here, it’s no walk in the park. You can monopolise ball possession, it’s taking chances that counts.”
In yesterday’s second encounter, Uruguay and South Korea played out a disappointing goalless draw at the Education City Stadium as none of the big-name players on show were able to make the difference.
Uruguay’s Diego Godin and the best player on the pitch Federico Valverde, from distance late on, were both denied by the woodwork but neither goalkeeper was sufficiently troubled. Team-mate Luis Suarez is a fading force and his World Cup swansong began inauspiciously as the former Liverpool and Barcelona striker, who turns 36 in January, looked a shadow of his former self.
Suarez’s lack of pace and mobility left him isolated and it was no surprise to see him replaced by Edinson Cavani just past the hour having barely made an impression.
Elsewhere in Group H, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first person to score at five World Cups as Portugal narrowly beat Ghana 3-2.
After a goalless first half, Ronaldo’s penalty put Portugal ahead, but Andre Ayew equalised.
Two quick goals from Joao Felix and Rafael Leao restored the lead for Portugal before Osman Bukhari pulled one back.
Bristol City’s Antoine Semenyo was a late substitute for Ghana as they pressed for a leveller.
In Wednesday’s late game, Canada missed a penalty and were denied two more as Michy Batshuayi’s strike condemned them to a 1-0 defeat against Belgium on their first World Cup appearance in 36 years.
The 2018 semi-finalists had to settle for a scrappy victory at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Batshuayi’s strike on the stroke of half-time proving the difference as Canada failed to score despite having 22 shots on goal.
The North American’s missed from the penalty spot as Bayern Munich forward Alphonso Davies’ weak effort was saved by Thibaut Courtois, before official Janny Sikazwe turned down two further shouts.