- The national team lost its only test match before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, 0-2, against Ghana.
- Switzerland sets the pace in Abu Dhabi, but remains harmless in attack.
- The national team will return to Qatar on Thursday, and the opening match of the World Cup will be on November 24 against Cameroon.
It won’t be serious for Switzerland until a week from now, when the national team will play its opening World Cup match against Cameroon in Al Wakrah. Accordingly, one should not overestimate the 0: 2 defeat in the first and only preparatory match against Ghana. However, coach Murat Yakin and his comrades must have gained one important clue from the test in Abu Dhabi: With the handbrake on, it’s going to be tough at the World Cup.
Few chances to register
Yaqen relied on a three-man defense against Ghana, with Ruben Vargas and Sylvain Widmer on the wings. This worked well at first, in the 6th minute Vargas, who had come in on the left, had to give Switzerland the lead. But the Augsburg player was unable to convert Brielle Embolo’s powerful pass, as the shot clearly went just wide of FCSG goalkeeper Lawrence Atti Zigi.
It should have remained Nati’s best chance to score, as SFV’s selection didn’t create much offense as a result. Shortly before the break Embolo found a less-than-ideal pass from Remo Freuler after the national team skilfully slashed through the Ghanaian defence.
Changes don’t work
Yakin made 3 changes at the break, including Noah Okafor replacing Embolo up front. The 22-year-old from RB Salzburg started fiercely, his 48th-minute flick whistling over goal. After that, Okafor was also unable to identify any crucial accents.
In addition to offensive damage, the longer the game, the more and more defensive buffs. In the 65th minute, Yaqen removed Fabian Scheer and put Denis Zakaria in central defence. This experiment should not work. 10 minutes later Ghana led 2-0.
- 70 minutes: Switzerland does not get the ball clear after a corner kick. Through Eray Cömert, the ball lands rather happily with Mohamed Salisu, who leads the Africans up front.
- 74 minutes: Nati fails many times in duels. First Cömert and then substitute Christian Fassnacht didn’t look good. In the end, Jan Sommer could no longer save. Antoine Ciméno should only push after a rebound to make it 2-0.
Switzerland no longer knows how to respond to the double whammy. In addition to opponents, external conditions were also to be difficult. The match took place at 33 degrees. The most positive and perhaps the most important thing for the national team is that all the players that were used came without injury.
Test match Ghana – Switzerland
Here’s how to proceed
Switzerland travels from Abu Dhabi to Doha on Thursday, as they prepare for their World Cup opening match against Cameroon. The Qatar World Cup kicks off on Sunday with a match between the host nation and Ecuador (4:30pm, live on SRF Zwei).
The national team intervenes in exactly one week. Other rivals for Switzerland are Brazil (November 28) and Serbia (December 2).
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