Switzerland round-up: Basel hold on to beat Servette
Monday, April 1, 2002
Article summary
FC Basel beat Servette FC 2-1 in the Nationalliga A to remain top of the Swiss first division.
Article body
Ten-man FC Basel held on for maximum points after a hard-fought clash at Servette FC, winning their Nationalliga A game 2-1 today to remain top of the Swiss first division.
Red card
The visitors were already 2-1 ahead when Aziawonou Yao was dismissed for a second yellow card on the hour mark, but his team-mates stood firm.
Shirt pulling
They took the lead after 14 minutes when Murat Yakin scored from the penalty-spot after Sébastien Fournier was penalised for holding back Ivan Ergic in the area and Yakin made no mistake with his kick.
Deficit reduced
The lead was doubled six minutes later when Timothée Atouba latched onto Yakin's flick before firing home. The hosts did pull a goal back four minutes before the break when Fournier unleashed a ferocious shot from 27 metres out that gave Pascal Zuberbühler in the Basel goal no chance. Fournier was sent off two minutes later after receiving his second yellow card of the game and Basel held on for the points.
