Swiss start with stylish success

By Paolo Menicucci at Stadio Simone Redini

Switzerland made a perfect start to 2004/05 UEFA European Under-17 Championship Group B with an impressive 3-0 success against Israel in Cascina

Two-point gap
Beqim Halimi, Shkelzen Gashi and Ivan Rakitic were on target as the 2001/02 U17 champions opened up a two-point gap at the top of the nascent Group B table, with the Netherlands holding Croatia to a 2-2 draw in today's other game.

Crucial spell
Yves Débonnaire's Swiss side started the game in attacking fashion and went close to breaking the deadlock after just ten minutes when midfield player Daniel Pavlovic hit the post with a header from Rakitic left-wing free-kick. Switzerland, however, scored the opener three minutes later as an attempted clearance from Israel goalkeeper Guy Hadani hit Halimi and fell kindly for the Swiss striker to roll the ball into the unguarded net.

Israel respond
Israel reacted well and a powerful left-foot effort by Avraham Rikan finished just wide. Two minutes later Yann Sommer blocked a low shot by Bebars Natcho from inside the penalty box. The Swiss goalkeeper also able to stop another dangerous shot by Maor Bar Buzaglo a few minutes before half-time.

Gashi goal
During the break Israel coach Avraham Bahar replaced Natcho with Tommar Snappir and Haim Salook with David Biton but it was Switzerland who were to score again two minutes into the second half. Shkelzen Gashi's free-kick from wide on the Switzerland right evaded everybody and crept inside the far post.

Rakitic delight
Israel tried to raise their tempo but exposed themselves to Switzerland's dangerous counterattacks. On 48 minutes Rakitic avoided Israel's offside trap, entered Israel's penalty box undisturbed and beat Hadani for the third time with a precise right-foot finish.

Penalty saved
Despite being 3-0 down, Israel continued to attack and were unlucky when Switzerland defender Davide Redzepi cleared a close-range volley from Snappir off the line. With ten minutes to play Israel had another great opportunity to open their account when Switzerland goalkeeper Sommer fouled Bar Buzaglo inside the penalty box. Bar Buzaglo took the spot-kick himself but Sommer dived to his left and saved.

One win away
Switzerland can reach the semi-finals with victory on Thursday against the Netherlands, while Israel will face Croatia the same day knowing that defeat would end their campaign.