Irish end Swiss roll
Friday, October 10, 2003
Article summary
Switzerland 0-2 Republic of Ireland Two Jonathan Walters goals end the Group 10 winners' unbeaten run.
Article body
The Republic of Ireland brought Switzerland's unbeaten run to an end with a 2-0 victory in Neuchatel in the final round of matches in UEFA European Under-21 Championship Group 10.
Play-off place assured
The home side had already won the section, clinching a place in the play-offs for the final tournament in the process, and finished with 19 points from eight games after suffering their first defeat of the qualifying campaign. The Republic of Ireland, meanwhile, finished fourth in the five-team section, having collected eight points.
Happy return
Bolton Wanderers FC striker Jonathan Walters marked his U21 debut with both goals in Switzerland, sealing a happy return for Ireland's coach Don Givens who spent eight years with Neuchâtel Xamax FC as a player in the 1980s.
Dream debut
Walters headed Ireland in front a minute past the hour, getting on the end of defender Stephen Kelly's cross, and scored his second 12 minutes later with another header, meeting a Wesley Houlihan corner to effectively seal the points.