Croatia and Switzerland draw 0-0
in Group B at Euro 2004 soccer championships
EUGENE BRCIC
Canadian Press
Sunday, June 13, 2004
LEIRIA, Portugal (AP) - Croatia missed three easy chances and squandered a man advantage for almost half the game as Switzerland survived for a 0-0 tie in their Euro 2004 Group B game on Sunday. Niko Kovac, Josip Simunic and Ivica Olic all missed easy headers with Swiss goalkeeper Joerg Stiel making an acrobatic one-handed save in the game. Olic hit the crossbar from barely three metres.
The Swiss played the last 40 minutes with 10 men after the ejection of defender Johann Vogel for his second yellow card, but the Croatians failed to create any more dangers for Stiel. "We could have done better," Croatian coach Otto Baric said. "We had a couple of chances which we should have converted. The Swiss are a good team." Two Croatians, Dado Prso and Ivica Molnar, were cautioned for diving as little went right for Otto Baric's team, which is in the same group as defending champion France and England. They played later in Lisbon.
The Swiss created the best chance of the opening 20 minutes when Alex Frei slipped free of Josip Simunic and fired a low shot from just inside the area. Croatian goalkeeper Tomislav Butina failed to hold it but a defender cleared as Stephane Chapuisat threatened to pounce on the rebound.
The Swiss came close again in the 25th minute when Hakan Yakin curled an inswinging corner into the danger area and Bernd Haas launched himself through a crowded area but glanced his header wide off the far post. The Croatians should have gone ahead 10 minutes before halftime when Niko Kovac was left unmarked by the Swiss defence. He jumped to reach a corner only to head over the bar with Stiel well off his line.
There was another blunder by the Swiss when Haas played five Croatians offside and a free kick should also have led to a goal.
Simunic was allowed a free header but it was brilliantly blocked by Stiel. From the rebound, Olic also had a great chance to head home but he hit the crossbar. The Swiss were down to 10 men just five minutes into the second half when Vogel kicked Tomo Sokota from behind and was ejected for his second yellow card.
Swiss coach Jakob Kuhn said that considering the Croatian advantage over most of the second half, the result is "satisfactory."
"Now, we have to do well against France and England, and that won't be easy," Kuhn said.
Mornar became the second Croatian to be cautioned for diving before he set up another chance for the Croatians.
He broke clear down the right and his cross found Niko Kovac, but the Hertha Berlin midfielder completely misdirected his first time shot, which flew well wide from 16 metres. Stiel had to race back when a back pass dropped over his head 20 minutes from the end but he managed to stop the ball from crossing the line. The Swiss then almost snatched the lead 13 minutes from the end when Benjamin Huggel fired a 30-metre shot that Butina pushed around the post with an unorthodox two-handed push.
Lineups
Switzerland: Joerg Stiel; Christoph Spycher, Patrick Mueller, Murat Yakin, Bernt Haas; Raphael Wicky (sub: Stephane Henchoz 83rd minute), Hakan Yakin (Daniel Gygax 86th minute), Johann Vogel, Benjamin Huggel; Stephan Chapuisat (Fabio Celestini 54th minute), Alexander Frei.
Croatia: Tomislav Butina; Dario Simic (Darijo Srna 61st minute), Robert Kovac, Josip Simunic, Boris Zivkovic; Ivica Mornar, Niko Kovac, Neven Bjelica (Giovanni Rosso 74th minute); Ivica Olic (Milan Rapaic 46th minute), Tomislav Sokota, Dado Prso.
Referee: Lucilio Batista, Portugal.
© Copyright 2004 The Canadian Press
http://www.canada.com/sports/soccer/story.html?id=8EAF039C-89D5-4C36-8115-DB6BD84F43B7
Croatia coach defiant after missed chance
DAMIAN SPELLMAN
CROATIA coach Otto Baric was in defiant mood as he contemplated a missed opportunity after his side’s 0-0 draw with Switzerland in Leiria.
The Croatians opened their Group B campaign with a point, but might have collected all three after playing the final 40 minutes of the game with a man extra following Swiss midfielder Johann Vogel’s dismissal for a second bookable offence.
Baric admitted that the heat had ultimately sapped the energy of his players as they attempted to make their numerical advantage count, but remained upbeat as he looked ahead to tough fixtures against reigning champions France on Thursday in Leiria and then England in Lisbon next Monday.
"We have to remember we won a point and I would like to underline that," he said as an air of disappointment hung over the Croatia camp.
"The Swiss team should not be underestimated, but also the other opponents in our group, the favourites, have to beat us and everything is still open.
"It was really, really hot out there. I haven’t seen the measurement, but it was around 38 degrees, maybe 40. We had to attack and that is much harder than to defend. My players were really making the effort, they were really trying and that’s all you can ask. I’m not satisfied, but I can’t complain about any of my players. They were playing, they were fighting, they had the will to win, but they haven’t succeeded.
"We had better possession, we had the ball at our feet and we had more chances in the first half, but we didn’t play enough good passes.
"And also we were playing against a very good team. I didn’t under-estimate the Swiss team - maybe the media made us favourites, but we knew we were playing a good team."
Croatia started the game brightly and after the Swiss rallied, had two glorious opportunities to force their way in front before the break.
Switzerland keeper Jorg Stiel hesitated when coming to collect a Nenad Bjelica corner and would have paid the price had Niko Kovac not headed over the crossbar. But the 36-year-old made amends three minutes later after being left horribly exposed by a disastrously executed offside trap, pulling off a fine fingertip save from Josip Simunic’s header with neither a flag nor a defender in sight.
The reprieve looked likely to be temporary after Vogel kicked the ball away after a free-kick had been awarded - Swiss coach Jakob Kuhn insisted Vogel thought the decision had gone in his favour and was restarting he game quickly - but his side held firm to shut out their opponents and snatch a valuable point.
The Swiss left Leiria to prepare for Thursday night’s clash with England in Coimbra in high spirits, but knowing that they are unlikely to get away with those kinds of errors a second time.
"I have to congratulate the team," said Kuhn. "I’m very proud. This was a good performance over 90 minutes even though we played the second half with only ten men. It was very hard. "I don’t know what this result means yet until we see the other results, but I’m very happy with the performance of my team."
Portuguese referee Lucilio Batista booked nine players in a game which did not really feature a bad challenge, and although he more than once punished players for diving, the card count seemed high.
That the Swiss ultimately did not pay for Vogel’s misdemeanours was down to a second-half display full of character and keeper Stiel added: "It was very important we played as a team and there was no one player who was more important than the rest."
With both sides knowing the three points on offer were vital the stakes were high and there was little to choose between them in the opening 45 minutes.
The invention of Hakan Yakin was Switzerland’s major weapon and more than once he threatened to unlock the Croatian defence playing behind Stephane Chapuisat and Alexander Frei.
However, Rangers new boy Dado Prso and Tomo Sokota, aided by the pace and power of Ivica Mornar down the right, made life difficult for the Swiss rearguard too.
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/football.cfm?id=675192004
SWITZERLAND v CROATIA MIN-BY-MIN
By Reece Killworth
Result: Switzerland 0 Croatia 0
90 min: Rapaic's corner, this one an inswinger, is bustled clear and the final whistle goes. It's been a disappointing game and France and England will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing these two sides.
90 min: Rapaic's outswinging corner is headed behind for another corner.
90 min: Haas concedes a corner as Srna sends a cross in from the left. One last chance for Croatia.
90 min: Mornar gets a yard of space from a long throw but his first touch is terrible and the ball is allowed to drift behind for a goal-kick.
90 min: There will be three minutes of added time.
90 min: Srna fouls Spycher just inside the Croatian half. Henchoz finds Gygax down the left and he knocks it back to Spycher. He curls the ball in but Frei can't control it at the back post.
89 min: Srna's free-kick is half-cleared and when the ball is worked back into the area, there are three men offside including Prso who went for the ball.
88 min: Celestini fouls Srna just outside the Swiss area. This is danger for the men in red.
88 min: Henchoz is sticking with Mornar for now, conceding a throw with a stern challenge.
87 min: Switzerland bring Daniel Gygax on for Hakan Yakin.
86 min: Rapaic is finally showing what he can do down the left. This time his cross falls to Srna's feet and he fires in a shot which Switzerland have to block bravely.
85 min: Rapaic does well to work himself a yard of space down the left but his cross is easily cleared by Murat Yakin at the front post.
84 min: Nico Kovac shoots from the halfway line with Stiel slightly out of position but the reason for that is soon clear - the Swiss keeper has spotted the offside flag up.
83 min: Switzerland bring Stephane Henchoz on for Wicky. The Liverpool man seems to have slotted in at left-back with Spycher in front of him. Mornar will look to get some joy out of a man who usually plays in the middle.
83 min: Switzerland work a short corner routine but it doesn't come off as Robert Kovac pumps the ball downfield at the back post.
82 min: Hakan Yakin latches on to a clearance over the top from brother Murat. His shot on the turn is turned behind by a desperate lunge from Robert Kovac.
81 min: Rapaic tries to outpace Haas down the left but the defender does well to win a throw off his adversary.
80 min: Srna and Mornar work the ball well down the right but the latter falls over. He gets back to his feet and manages to keep the ball but when he plays it back, Srna crosses straight at Spycher.
79 min: Wicky tries to slide the ball down the left to Celestini but it drifts out for a goal-kick. The quality of this game continues to disappoint.
78 min: The ball is curled in from the left but Murat Yakin's header is off target.
77 min: Wicky and Frei work the ball nicely on the left before it comes inside to Huggel. He takes two paces forward and rifles in a shot which Butina pushes around the post. The keeper looked far from confident there as he shovelled it behind.
77 min: Sokota does well to initially shake off his marker but then three Swiss players get back on the edge of the area and clear the ball down their left flank.
76 min: Hakan Yakin takes the shot from distance but his effort is always sailing over the bar.
75 min: Rosso's first act is to concede a free-kick as Frei goes down 30 yards from the Croatia goal. Danger for the Croats.
74 min: Prso bursts into the right-hand side of the Swiss box but Spycher gets back and blocks the attempted cross. Stiel gathers and quickly pumps the ball downfield.
73 min: Croatia bring Giovani Rosso on for Bjelica.
72 min: Play switches from end to end quickly with a long ball from Butina. Stiel gathers and clears and the Swiss goalkeeper then berates the referee for ignoring a challenge on Spycher by Mornar as they both chased the ball back. There was no foul, and Stiel is booked for his protests.
71 min: Credit to Switzerland, they are certainly not sitting back and settling for a draw here. Unfortunately their final balls are letting them down as this time Wicky fails to find Frei.
70 min: Stiel is forced to backtrack quickly and dive on the ball inside the six-yard area but he manages to do that and even ends the move by heading the ball off his own goal-line when lying down.
70 min: Hakan Yakin drifts a free-kick into the Croatia area but it is scrambled clear despite the best efforts of Frei.
69 min: Hakan Yakin's corner drifts over those at the front post and is hacked clear from the left-hand side of the six-yard box by Zivkovic.
68 min: Huggel does well to win a corner with a powerful run down the right. The Swiss are going for it despite being down to 10 men.
67 min: Nico Kovac bursts into the final third and slides the ball in to Nico Kovac. He turns to face goal and cuts inside on his right foot but sends his shot over the top.
66 min: Haas and Wicky work the ball nicely down the right but the latter just loses control at the vital moment and the ball drifts out for a goal-kick.
65 min: Switzerland bring the ball forward despite their numerical disadvantage and win a free-kick around 30 yards out. Hakan Yakin steps up to curl the ball goalwards but it is a tame effort and Butina is able to gather easily to his left.
65 min: Prso picks himself up and gets on with it, breaking down the right and getting a decent cross in. The ball drops to Nico Kovac but his left-footed effort is always curling wide.
64 min: Prso goes down theatrically on the edge of the Swiss box with Murat Yakin in close attendance. The referee again waves play on although this time he opts not to book Prso.
63 min: Croatia knock the ball around from left to right but they are not making any progress despite having a man advantage. Otto Baric looks far from happy on the Croatia bench.
62 min: Croatia bring Darijo Srna on for Simic.
61 min: Mornar continues to look lively down the right but this time he just allows the ball to slip out of his range and behind for a goal-kick.
60 min: Frei goes bursting clear onto a long ball over the top, but he's offside.
59 min: Hakan Yakin goes down clutching his face after clashing with Robert Kovac in the corner. He was caught, but Yakin certainly made the most of it. Play resumes with a free-kick to Croatia as it was Yakin who fouled Kovac initially.
58 min: There is still no pattern to what has been thus far a disappointing game.
57 min: Simunic and Frei get in a tangle 30 yards from the Croatian goal and it's a free-kick to the Swiss. Hakan Yakin tries to find brother Murat out on the left but the ball sails out for a goal-kick.
57 min: Prso gets a yard of space on the edge of the Swiss box but he can't get the ball down quickly enough to get a decent shot in. His effort is gathered easily by Stiel.
56 min: Nico Kovac finds himself dumped on his backside by Celestini as tempers begin to fray a little in midfield. The Croatians are beginning to look frustrated.
55 min: Rapaic works himself a yard of space down the left and gets in a good cross which Stiel has to be alert to gather. He switches play in an instant and Frei gets clear down the inside left channel. Unfortunately for the Swiss, the ball just evades him with his third touch and slides out for a goal-kick.
54 min: Switzerland bring Fabio Celestini on for Chapuisat, who has worked hard without effect this evening. Celestini will slot in in midfield and Switzerland are now playing with Frei as a lone striker.
53 min: Play has become very scrappy again as Switzerland try to reorganise themselves into a recognisable formation. They are content to lump the ball long for now.
52 min: Spycher has been left isolated on the left flank as the Swiss reorganise and it is no surprise to see Mornar go right at him. He gets past Spycher but then tumbles to the ground. The referee is unconvinced and rightly books him.
51 min: The corner comes to nothing and as it is half-cleared, Zivkovic goes into the book for pulling down Frei. The Croatian captain is booked.
51 min: Croatia move the ball forward and force a corner down the right. The sending-off has clearly lifted them.
50 min: SENT OFF - VOGEL. Free-kick to Croatia in midfield and Vogel reacts by kicking the ball downfield right in front of the referee. That's another idiotic act and the referee has no option but to show Vogel his second yellow card.
49 min: Switzerland work the ball to Frei from the free-kick but he is well challenged by Simic. Croatia spring on the counter attack and Rapaic's cross from the left is helped behind for a corner. Bjelic curls the ball in and Prso's header drifts off target. He appeals for a corner but the referee gives a goal-kick.
48 min: Haas tries to dink the ball into the inside right channel but Zivkovic is across quickly to clear the danger. Rapaic tries to get away with a sneaky handball by punching the ball forwards but he is spotted and goes into the book. Simply idiotic play from the substitute.
47 min: Croatia snap into their tackles in midfield and eventually Huggel is forced into a mistake. Bjelica picks the ball up but he is quickly dispossessed and Switzerland win a throw down their right.
46 min: Croatia knock the ball around at the back to give their defenders a touch in the second half but Simis's is a poor one and Switzerland are gifted a throw.
45 min: Croatia get the second half under way having brought Rapaic on for the impressive Olic.
HT: Switzerland 0 Croatia 0.
45 min: A scrappy half is brought to a close. Croatia have been the better of the sides and look particularly dangerous down the flanks but there have been so many fouls from both teams the referee has had no option but to be one of the game's central figures.
45 min: Croatia work the ball to Nico Kovac who has enough room to shoot from distance. The ball is always drifting just over although Stiel backtracks furiously just to see it over.
45 min: A free-kick to Switzerland this time with Bjelica penalised for a foul on Hakan Yakin. The ball is swung out towards Haas on the right but it evades him and Croatia have a throw.
45 min: Croatia's free-kick comes to nothing as Nico Kovac chips it too high and it sails out of play for a goal-kick.
44 min: Another free-kick comes to Croatia as Vogel jumps into Bjelica.
43 min: Prso slides the ball in to Sokota on the edge of the Swiss area and he goes down under pressure from Muller. Nothing doing, according to the referee and Switzerland are able to bring it clear. Again they give possession away and Olic bursts into the box. He is shepherded away from danger but does earn a throw-in.
42 min: Free-kick to Croatia with Wicky penalised for leaving his boot in on Robert Kovac.
41 min: Hakan Yakin works himself out of a tight spot inside his own half and sets Switzerland on the break. Chapuisat picks it up on the edge of the Croatian box and dinks a lovely ball in towards Frei. The ball is half-cleared and Mornar is fouled as he tries to complete the clearance.
40 min: Huggel's frustration at losing possession gets the better of him and he pulls down Bjelica deep inside the Croatian half. Free-kick to Croatia and the Swiss is booked.
39 min: Bjelica curls the free-kick in and the Swiss defence race out almost en masse. Haas stays back for some reason and plays everyone onside. Simunic has the first unmarked header which Stiel does well to push away but Olic is there on the follow-up. Somehow he manages to hit the top of the bar with his header and Switzerland - and Haas in particular - get away with it.
38 min: Another free-kick for Croatia as this time Spycher blocks Mornar. He is causing a lot of problems down the right with his power and pace.
37 min: Switzerland work the ball nicely until the final third when Spycher ducks out of a challenge with Simic and Croatia are able to clear. Mornar goes down theatrically under pressure from Wicky and the referee obliges with the free-kick.
36 min: Stiel flaps at the corner as it sails over his head. Nico Kovac has a great chance to score at the back post with the keeper flailing around but his header is well off target.
35 min: Croatia chase the ball down superbly with Olic to the fore. He forces Vogel to lay the ball back to Stiel and then forces the keeper to slice it out for a throw. Olic's good work continues as he converts the throw into a corner.
34 min: The Swiss fans are far from happy as Chapuisat is still down, but he pulls himself back to his feet and is reprimanded by the referee. At the other end, the corner comes in but Zivkovic's header has too little on it to unduly trouble Stiel.
33 min: Switzerland work a nice move down the right before it's knocked in towards Chapuisat. He goes down under minimal contact from Simunic and the referee rightly waves play on. Croatia break down the right and Mornar wins a corner off Spycher.
32 min: Croatia's free-kick comes to nothing but they are able to win back the ball as an ambitious ball from Haas drops to Simunic. Sokota can't hold it up, though, as a scrappy phase of the game continues.
31 min: The ball is worked to Murat Yakin from the free-kick but his powerful effort is blocked by the Croatia wall. It bounces out to Nico Kovac and he draws a foul from Huggel.
30 min: The yellow card comes out for the second time with Bjelica booked for a clumsy tackle on Hakan Yakin 30 or so yards from the Croatia goal.
29 min: Scrappy play in midfield as both teams give the ball away but when Wicky is penalised for a foul, Croatia are able to break. The ball is worked to Sokota who manages to hold off Huggel but can't find the target with a shot from distance.
28 min: Nico Kovac tries to drift the ball over the top to Mornar but it skips up off the turf and Stiel is able to gather it again.
27 min: The free-kick is launched towards Prso and he is able to divert the ball into Sokota's path. He manages to engineer a shot on the turn, but the ball is straight at Stiel and he is able to gather easily at his feet.
26 min: Mornar shows a decent turn of pace to get past Spycher down the right flank but as he tries to turn back inside Spycher is back to clear. He works the ball to Hakan Yakin out wide on the left but his ball infield is cleared and when Olic is brought down by Haas, it's a free-kick to Croatia on halfway.
25 min: The corner is flashed into the six-yard box where Haas meets it. He fails to get enough on the ball and it drifts past the far post and out for a goal-kick.
25 min: Switzerland force a corner down the right with Huggel causing Zivkovic to track across and knock the ball out.
24 min: Muller sportingly chips the ball into touch with Nico Kovac down. The referee stops play but Kovac is quickly back to his feet albeit clutching his lower back. Mornar returns the ball to Switzerland from the throw.
23 min: Croatia knock the ball from side to side probing for an opening but the Swiss are well organised defensively and see the danger off.
22 min: Free-kick to Croatia as Chapuisat is a little late on Simic just inside the Croatian box. The players shake hands as they climb back to their feet and the referee is content for play to continue without further action.
21 min: Murat Yakin switches play with a marvellous ball from right to left where Wicky tries to get a cross in. Simunic blocks it out at the expense of a throw.
20 min: Hakan Yakin gets a yard of space 30 yards from the Croatia goal but he overhits his attempted through-ball to Chapuisat and Butina is able to race off his line to gather the ball.
19 min: Mornar runs at Spycher but is well challenged and for a split second Spycher has a little space. Mornar does not neglect his defensive duties, though, and is quickly back to regain possession for Croatia.
18 min: Switzerland knock the ball around nicely without making any real progress until Haas miscontrols out wide on the right and the ball slides out of play.
17 min: Hakan Yakin tries to weave a little magic 30 yards or so from the Croatian goal but Bjelica snaps into the tackle and slides the ball clear.
16 min: Free-kick to Croatia 10 yards inside their own half as Frei catches Zivkovic with a high boot. They work the ball out to the right before coming back the other way. Josip Simunic eventually lofts the ball to Olic down the left but he fails to keep possession and Benjamin Huggel brings the ball clear for the Swiss.
16 min: The ball in from the right is a poor one and Butina is able to claim unchallenged.
15 min: A long clearance downfield is flicked on and Frei finds space down the inside right channel. His dipping shot is pushed away by Butina and the Croatian defence are back well to clear the ball away for a corner.
14 min: Stiel's clearance is a poor one and Prso has a shooting chance but he snatches his effort and pulls it wide of the left-hand post.
14 min: Prso and Olic play a lovely one-two down the left flank with the former bursting into the Swiss penalty area. He goes down under pressure from Haas but Lucilio Cardoso Cortez Batista waves away his appeal for a spot-kick and books the Rangers-bound striker for diving.
13 min: Prso and Spycher get in a tangle down the Croatia right and as the ball goes out both appeal for a throw. The decision goes the way of Switzerland to Prso's frustration. Muller has been told to leave the field for treatment as he is bleeding from a head wound.
12 min: The corner is again fired long but Mornar fails to direct the ball on target.
11 min: Both teams contest the drop-ball - a rare sight in today's football - and Croatia force a throw down the left through Olic. He is able to convert the throw into a corner as Croatia continue to look dangerous down both flanks.
10 min: Mornar powers into space down the right and sends a decent cross in which Olic just fails to control. The ball breaks back out to the halfway line and the referee blows his whistle as Christoph Spycher is down in the Croatia half. As soon as the referee approaches him, he clambers back to his feet and play continues with a drop-ball just inside the Swiss half.
9 min: Frei is left in a heap by Dario Simic out wide. He's been caught with an elbow but was actually off the field when the offence took place. The referee didn't get a clear view of it, but Switzerland have the free-kick anyway as Hakan Yakin was fouled infield.
9 min: The corner is drilled in towards the back post but Muller is there to head clear. Frei just can't keep it in play and Croatia have a throw down the right. Dado Prso picks it up and works it to Mornar but his cross in is headed clear by Murat Yakin.
8 min: Olic races down the left flank onto a lovely ball from Bjelica but his cut-back is hacked behind for a corner by Patrick Muller.
8 min: Vogel tries to find Haas marauding down the right but the ball skips out for a Croatia throw-in.
7 min: The outswinging corner finds Zivkovic at the back post but he is unable to get enough on the ball to really trouble Stiel in the Swiss goal.
6 min: The first corner of the game goes to Croatia as Mornar forces Murat Yakin to play the ball behind.
6 min: Chapuisat goes down holding his face after clashing with Zivkovic as they chase a through-ball but the referee waves play on and Croatia clears. Switzerland come again and Hakan Yakin forces Butina into his first real action of the game.
5 min: Boris Zivkovic is unable to control the ball from the free-kick and Bernt Haas is able to force a goal-kick off Olic.
4 min: As Croatia press forward down the right Vogel cynically hacks down Nico Kovac and is the first man into the book.
4 min: Switzerland try to work a move down the left from the free-kick but Wicky is dispossessed on the edge of the Croatian penalty area. Switzerland win the ball back, though, but again Wicky is well tackled and Croatia can bring the ball clear.
3 min: Switzerland probe down the left and win a free-kick as Ivica Mornar goes in a little too strongly on Raphael Wicky.
2 min: Nenad Bjelica steps up to take the free-kick but the effort is a poor one and Jorg Stiel is able to gather comfortably.
2 min: Croatia spread the ball well from right to left where Ivica Olic has to cut back on the inside. The ball is worked to Tomislav Sokoto and he is pulled down by Murat Yakin a couple of yards outside the Swiss box. A dangerous free-kick here for Croatia.
1 min: The first free-kick of the game goes the way of Croatia with Alexander Frei the man penalised for a heavy challenge.
0 min: Switzerland get the action under way.
Pre-match: Croatia boss Otto Baric has thrown goalkeeper Tomislav Butina in at the deep end with first choice Stipe Pletikosa ruled out of the entire tournament with a ruptured thigh muscle. Midfielder Milan Rapaic also misses out. Switzerland's only real concern in the lead-up to the match, Johann Vogel, takes his place in a side which features veteran Stephane Chapuisat in his 102nd international game.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/euro2004/news/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=soccer/04/06/13/manual_153012.html
Croatia and Switzerland draw 0-0
in Group B at Euro 2004 soccer championships
EUGENE BRCIC
Canadian Press
Sunday, June 13, 2004
LEIRIA, Portugal (AP) - Croatia missed three easy chances and squandered a man advantage for almost half the game as Switzerland survived for a 0-0 tie in their Euro 2004 Group B game on Sunday. Niko Kovac, Josip Simunic and Ivica Olic all missed easy headers with Swiss goalkeeper Joerg Stiel making an acrobatic one-handed save in the game. Olic hit the crossbar from barely three metres.
The Swiss played the last 40 minutes with 10 men after the ejection of defender Johann Vogel for his second yellow card, but the Croatians failed to create any more dangers for Stiel. "We could have done better," Croatian coach Otto Baric said. "We had a couple of chances which we should have converted. The Swiss are a good team." Two Croatians, Dado Prso and Ivica Molnar, were cautioned for diving as little went right for Otto Baric's team, which is in the same group as defending champion France and England. They played later in Lisbon.
The Swiss created the best chance of the opening 20 minutes when Alex Frei slipped free of Josip Simunic and fired a low shot from just inside the area. Croatian goalkeeper Tomislav Butina failed to hold it but a defender cleared as Stephane Chapuisat threatened to pounce on the rebound.
The Swiss came close again in the 25th minute when Hakan Yakin curled an inswinging corner into the danger area and Bernd Haas launched himself through a crowded area but glanced his header wide off the far post. The Croatians should have gone ahead 10 minutes before halftime when Niko Kovac was left unmarked by the Swiss defence. He jumped to reach a corner only to head over the bar with Stiel well off his line.
There was another blunder by the Swiss when Haas played five Croatians offside and a free kick should also have led to a goal.
Simunic was allowed a free header but it was brilliantly blocked by Stiel. From the rebound, Olic also had a great chance to head home but he hit the crossbar. The Swiss were down to 10 men just five minutes into the second half when Vogel kicked Tomo Sokota from behind and was ejected for his second yellow card.
Swiss coach Jakob Kuhn said that considering the Croatian advantage over most of the second half, the result is "satisfactory."
"Now, we have to do well against France and England, and that won't be easy," Kuhn said.
Mornar became the second Croatian to be cautioned for diving before he set up another chance for the Croatians.
He broke clear down the right and his cross found Niko Kovac, but the Hertha Berlin midfielder completely misdirected his first time shot, which flew well wide from 16 metres. Stiel had to race back when a back pass dropped over his head 20 minutes from the end but he managed to stop the ball from crossing the line. The Swiss then almost snatched the lead 13 minutes from the end when Benjamin Huggel fired a 30-metre shot that Butina pushed around the post with an unorthodox two-handed push.
Lineups
Switzerland: Joerg Stiel; Christoph Spycher, Patrick Mueller, Murat Yakin, Bernt Haas; Raphael Wicky (sub: Stephane Henchoz 83rd minute), Hakan Yakin (Daniel Gygax 86th minute), Johann Vogel, Benjamin Huggel; Stephan Chapuisat (Fabio Celestini 54th minute), Alexander Frei.
Croatia: Tomislav Butina; Dario Simic (Darijo Srna 61st minute), Robert Kovac, Josip Simunic, Boris Zivkovic; Ivica Mornar, Niko Kovac, Neven Bjelica (Giovanni Rosso 74th minute); Ivica Olic (Milan Rapaic 46th minute), Tomislav Sokota, Dado Prso.
Referee: Lucilio Batista, Portugal.
© Copyright 2004 The Canadian Press
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Croatia coach defiant after missed chance
DAMIAN SPELLMAN
CROATIA coach Otto Baric was in defiant mood as he contemplated a missed opportunity after his side’s 0-0 draw with Switzerland in Leiria.
The Croatians opened their Group B campaign with a point, but might have collected all three after playing the final 40 minutes of the game with a man extra following Swiss midfielder Johann Vogel’s dismissal for a second bookable offence.
Baric admitted that the heat had ultimately sapped the energy of his players as they attempted to make their numerical advantage count, but remained upbeat as he looked ahead to tough fixtures against reigning champions France on Thursday in Leiria and then England in Lisbon next Monday.
"We have to remember we won a point and I would like to underline that," he said as an air of disappointment hung over the Croatia camp.
"The Swiss team should not be underestimated, but also the other opponents in our group, the favourites, have to beat us and everything is still open.
"It was really, really hot out there. I haven’t seen the measurement, but it was around 38 degrees, maybe 40. We had to attack and that is much harder than to defend. My players were really making the effort, they were really trying and that’s all you can ask. I’m not satisfied, but I can’t complain about any of my players. They were playing, they were fighting, they had the will to win, but they haven’t succeeded.
"We had better possession, we had the ball at our feet and we had more chances in the first half, but we didn’t play enough good passes.
"And also we were playing against a very good team. I didn’t under-estimate the Swiss team - maybe the media made us favourites, but we knew we were playing a good team."
Croatia started the game brightly and after the Swiss rallied, had two glorious opportunities to force their way in front before the break.
Switzerland keeper Jorg Stiel hesitated when coming to collect a Nenad Bjelica corner and would have paid the price had Niko Kovac not headed over the crossbar. But the 36-year-old made amends three minutes later after being left horribly exposed by a disastrously executed offside trap, pulling off a fine fingertip save from Josip Simunic’s header with neither a flag nor a defender in sight.
The reprieve looked likely to be temporary after Vogel kicked the ball away after a free-kick had been awarded - Swiss coach Jakob Kuhn insisted Vogel thought the decision had gone in his favour and was restarting he game quickly - but his side held firm to shut out their opponents and snatch a valuable point.
The Swiss left Leiria to prepare for Thursday night’s clash with England in Coimbra in high spirits, but knowing that they are unlikely to get away with those kinds of errors a second time.
"I have to congratulate the team," said Kuhn. "I’m very proud. This was a good performance over 90 minutes even though we played the second half with only ten men. It was very hard. "I don’t know what this result means yet until we see the other results, but I’m very happy with the performance of my team."
Portuguese referee Lucilio Batista booked nine players in a game which did not really feature a bad challenge, and although he more than once punished players for diving, the card count seemed high.
That the Swiss ultimately did not pay for Vogel’s misdemeanours was down to a second-half display full of character and keeper Stiel added: "It was very important we played as a team and there was no one player who was more important than the rest."
With both sides knowing the three points on offer were vital the stakes were high and there was little to choose between them in the opening 45 minutes.
The invention of Hakan Yakin was Switzerland’s major weapon and more than once he threatened to unlock the Croatian defence playing behind Stephane Chapuisat and Alexander Frei.
However, Rangers new boy Dado Prso and Tomo Sokota, aided by the pace and power of Ivica Mornar down the right, made life difficult for the Swiss rearguard too.
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/football.cfm?id=675192004
SWITZERLAND v CROATIA MIN-BY-MIN
By Reece Killworth
Result: Switzerland 0 Croatia 0
90 min: Rapaic's corner, this one an inswinger, is bustled clear and the final whistle goes. It's been a disappointing game and France and England will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing these two sides.
90 min: Rapaic's outswinging corner is headed behind for another corner.
90 min: Haas concedes a corner as Srna sends a cross in from the left. One last chance for Croatia.
90 min: Mornar gets a yard of space from a long throw but his first touch is terrible and the ball is allowed to drift behind for a goal-kick.
90 min: There will be three minutes of added time.
90 min: Srna fouls Spycher just inside the Croatian half. Henchoz finds Gygax down the left and he knocks it back to Spycher. He curls the ball in but Frei can't control it at the back post.
89 min: Srna's free-kick is half-cleared and when the ball is worked back into the area, there are three men offside including Prso who went for the ball.
88 min: Celestini fouls Srna just outside the Swiss area. This is danger for the men in red.
88 min: Henchoz is sticking with Mornar for now, conceding a throw with a stern challenge.
87 min: Switzerland bring Daniel Gygax on for Hakan Yakin.
86 min: Rapaic is finally showing what he can do down the left. This time his cross falls to Srna's feet and he fires in a shot which Switzerland have to block bravely.
85 min: Rapaic does well to work himself a yard of space down the left but his cross is easily cleared by Murat Yakin at the front post.
84 min: Nico Kovac shoots from the halfway line with Stiel slightly out of position but the reason for that is soon clear - the Swiss keeper has spotted the offside flag up.
83 min: Switzerland bring Stephane Henchoz on for Wicky. The Liverpool man seems to have slotted in at left-back with Spycher in front of him. Mornar will look to get some joy out of a man who usually plays in the middle.
83 min: Switzerland work a short corner routine but it doesn't come off as Robert Kovac pumps the ball downfield at the back post.
82 min: Hakan Yakin latches on to a clearance over the top from brother Murat. His shot on the turn is turned behind by a desperate lunge from Robert Kovac.
81 min: Rapaic tries to outpace Haas down the left but the defender does well to win a throw off his adversary.
80 min: Srna and Mornar work the ball well down the right but the latter falls over. He gets back to his feet and manages to keep the ball but when he plays it back, Srna crosses straight at Spycher.
79 min: Wicky tries to slide the ball down the left to Celestini but it drifts out for a goal-kick. The quality of this game continues to disappoint.
78 min: The ball is curled in from the left but Murat Yakin's header is off target.
77 min: Wicky and Frei work the ball nicely on the left before it comes inside to Huggel. He takes two paces forward and rifles in a shot which Butina pushes around the post. The keeper looked far from confident there as he shovelled it behind.
77 min: Sokota does well to initially shake off his marker but then three Swiss players get back on the edge of the area and clear the ball down their left flank.
76 min: Hakan Yakin takes the shot from distance but his effort is always sailing over the bar.
75 min: Rosso's first act is to concede a free-kick as Frei goes down 30 yards from the Croatia goal. Danger for the Croats.
74 min: Prso bursts into the right-hand side of the Swiss box but Spycher gets back and blocks the attempted cross. Stiel gathers and quickly pumps the ball downfield.
73 min: Croatia bring Giovani Rosso on for Bjelica.
72 min: Play switches from end to end quickly with a long ball from Butina. Stiel gathers and clears and the Swiss goalkeeper then berates the referee for ignoring a challenge on Spycher by Mornar as they both chased the ball back. There was no foul, and Stiel is booked for his protests.
71 min: Credit to Switzerland, they are certainly not sitting back and settling for a draw here. Unfortunately their final balls are letting them down as this time Wicky fails to find Frei.
70 min: Stiel is forced to backtrack quickly and dive on the ball inside the six-yard area but he manages to do that and even ends the move by heading the ball off his own goal-line when lying down.
70 min: Hakan Yakin drifts a free-kick into the Croatia area but it is scrambled clear despite the best efforts of Frei.
69 min: Hakan Yakin's corner drifts over those at the front post and is hacked clear from the left-hand side of the six-yard box by Zivkovic.
68 min: Huggel does well to win a corner with a powerful run down the right. The Swiss are going for it despite being down to 10 men.
67 min: Nico Kovac bursts into the final third and slides the ball in to Nico Kovac. He turns to face goal and cuts inside on his right foot but sends his shot over the top.
66 min: Haas and Wicky work the ball nicely down the right but the latter just loses control at the vital moment and the ball drifts out for a goal-kick.
65 min: Switzerland bring the ball forward despite their numerical disadvantage and win a free-kick around 30 yards out. Hakan Yakin steps up to curl the ball goalwards but it is a tame effort and Butina is able to gather easily to his left.
65 min: Prso picks himself up and gets on with it, breaking down the right and getting a decent cross in. The ball drops to Nico Kovac but his left-footed effort is always curling wide.
64 min: Prso goes down theatrically on the edge of the Swiss box with Murat Yakin in close attendance. The referee again waves play on although this time he opts not to book Prso.
63 min: Croatia knock the ball around from left to right but they are not making any progress despite having a man advantage. Otto Baric looks far from happy on the Croatia bench.
62 min: Croatia bring Darijo Srna on for Simic.
61 min: Mornar continues to look lively down the right but this time he just allows the ball to slip out of his range and behind for a goal-kick.
60 min: Frei goes bursting clear onto a long ball over the top, but he's offside.
59 min: Hakan Yakin goes down clutching his face after clashing with Robert Kovac in the corner. He was caught, but Yakin certainly made the most of it. Play resumes with a free-kick to Croatia as it was Yakin who fouled Kovac initially.
58 min: There is still no pattern to what has been thus far a disappointing game.
57 min: Simunic and Frei get in a tangle 30 yards from the Croatian goal and it's a free-kick to the Swiss. Hakan Yakin tries to find brother Murat out on the left but the ball sails out for a goal-kick.
57 min: Prso gets a yard of space on the edge of the Swiss box but he can't get the ball down quickly enough to get a decent shot in. His effort is gathered easily by Stiel.
56 min: Nico Kovac finds himself dumped on his backside by Celestini as tempers begin to fray a little in midfield. The Croatians are beginning to look frustrated.
55 min: Rapaic works himself a yard of space down the left and gets in a good cross which Stiel has to be alert to gather. He switches play in an instant and Frei gets clear down the inside left channel. Unfortunately for the Swiss, the ball just evades him with his third touch and slides out for a goal-kick.
54 min: Switzerland bring Fabio Celestini on for Chapuisat, who has worked hard without effect this evening. Celestini will slot in in midfield and Switzerland are now playing with Frei as a lone striker.
53 min: Play has become very scrappy again as Switzerland try to reorganise themselves into a recognisable formation. They are content to lump the ball long for now.
52 min: Spycher has been left isolated on the left flank as the Swiss reorganise and it is no surprise to see Mornar go right at him. He gets past Spycher but then tumbles to the ground. The referee is unconvinced and rightly books him.
51 min: The corner comes to nothing and as it is half-cleared, Zivkovic goes into the book for pulling down Frei. The Croatian captain is booked.
51 min: Croatia move the ball forward and force a corner down the right. The sending-off has clearly lifted them.
50 min: SENT OFF - VOGEL. Free-kick to Croatia in midfield and Vogel reacts by kicking the ball downfield right in front of the referee. That's another idiotic act and the referee has no option but to show Vogel his second yellow card.
49 min: Switzerland work the ball to Frei from the free-kick but he is well challenged by Simic. Croatia spring on the counter attack and Rapaic's cross from the left is helped behind for a corner. Bjelic curls the ball in and Prso's header drifts off target. He appeals for a corner but the referee gives a goal-kick.
48 min: Haas tries to dink the ball into the inside right channel but Zivkovic is across quickly to clear the danger. Rapaic tries to get away with a sneaky handball by punching the ball forwards but he is spotted and goes into the book. Simply idiotic play from the substitute.
47 min: Croatia snap into their tackles in midfield and eventually Huggel is forced into a mistake. Bjelica picks the ball up but he is quickly dispossessed and Switzerland win a throw down their right.
46 min: Croatia knock the ball around at the back to give their defenders a touch in the second half but Simis's is a poor one and Switzerland are gifted a throw.
45 min: Croatia get the second half under way having brought Rapaic on for the impressive Olic.
HT: Switzerland 0 Croatia 0.
45 min: A scrappy half is brought to a close. Croatia have been the better of the sides and look particularly dangerous down the flanks but there have been so many fouls from both teams the referee has had no option but to be one of the game's central figures.
45 min: Croatia work the ball to Nico Kovac who has enough room to shoot from distance. The ball is always drifting just over although Stiel backtracks furiously just to see it over.
45 min: A free-kick to Switzerland this time with Bjelica penalised for a foul on Hakan Yakin. The ball is swung out towards Haas on the right but it evades him and Croatia have a throw.
45 min: Croatia's free-kick comes to nothing as Nico Kovac chips it too high and it sails out of play for a goal-kick.
44 min: Another free-kick comes to Croatia as Vogel jumps into Bjelica.
43 min: Prso slides the ball in to Sokota on the edge of the Swiss area and he goes down under pressure from Muller. Nothing doing, according to the referee and Switzerland are able to bring it clear. Again they give possession away and Olic bursts into the box. He is shepherded away from danger but does earn a throw-in.
42 min: Free-kick to Croatia with Wicky penalised for leaving his boot in on Robert Kovac.
41 min: Hakan Yakin works himself out of a tight spot inside his own half and sets Switzerland on the break. Chapuisat picks it up on the edge of the Croatian box and dinks a lovely ball in towards Frei. The ball is half-cleared and Mornar is fouled as he tries to complete the clearance.
40 min: Huggel's frustration at losing possession gets the better of him and he pulls down Bjelica deep inside the Croatian half. Free-kick to Croatia and the Swiss is booked.
39 min: Bjelica curls the free-kick in and the Swiss defence race out almost en masse. Haas stays back for some reason and plays everyone onside. Simunic has the first unmarked header which Stiel does well to push away but Olic is there on the follow-up. Somehow he manages to hit the top of the bar with his header and Switzerland - and Haas in particular - get away with it.
38 min: Another free-kick for Croatia as this time Spycher blocks Mornar. He is causing a lot of problems down the right with his power and pace.
37 min: Switzerland work the ball nicely until the final third when Spycher ducks out of a challenge with Simic and Croatia are able to clear. Mornar goes down theatrically under pressure from Wicky and the referee obliges with the free-kick.
36 min: Stiel flaps at the corner as it sails over his head. Nico Kovac has a great chance to score at the back post with the keeper flailing around but his header is well off target.
35 min: Croatia chase the ball down superbly with Olic to the fore. He forces Vogel to lay the ball back to Stiel and then forces the keeper to slice it out for a throw. Olic's good work continues as he converts the throw into a corner.
34 min: The Swiss fans are far from happy as Chapuisat is still down, but he pulls himself back to his feet and is reprimanded by the referee. At the other end, the corner comes in but Zivkovic's header has too little on it to unduly trouble Stiel.
33 min: Switzerland work a nice move down the right before it's knocked in towards Chapuisat. He goes down under minimal contact from Simunic and the referee rightly waves play on. Croatia break down the right and Mornar wins a corner off Spycher.
32 min: Croatia's free-kick comes to nothing but they are able to win back the ball as an ambitious ball from Haas drops to Simunic. Sokota can't hold it up, though, as a scrappy phase of the game continues.
31 min: The ball is worked to Murat Yakin from the free-kick but his powerful effort is blocked by the Croatia wall. It bounces out to Nico Kovac and he draws a foul from Huggel.
30 min: The yellow card comes out for the second time with Bjelica booked for a clumsy tackle on Hakan Yakin 30 or so yards from the Croatia goal.
29 min: Scrappy play in midfield as both teams give the ball away but when Wicky is penalised for a foul, Croatia are able to break. The ball is worked to Sokota who manages to hold off Huggel but can't find the target with a shot from distance.
28 min: Nico Kovac tries to drift the ball over the top to Mornar but it skips up off the turf and Stiel is able to gather it again.
27 min: The free-kick is launched towards Prso and he is able to divert the ball into Sokota's path. He manages to engineer a shot on the turn, but the ball is straight at Stiel and he is able to gather easily at his feet.
26 min: Mornar shows a decent turn of pace to get past Spycher down the right flank but as he tries to turn back inside Spycher is back to clear. He works the ball to Hakan Yakin out wide on the left but his ball infield is cleared and when Olic is brought down by Haas, it's a free-kick to Croatia on halfway.
25 min: The corner is flashed into the six-yard box where Haas meets it. He fails to get enough on the ball and it drifts past the far post and out for a goal-kick.
25 min: Switzerland force a corner down the right with Huggel causing Zivkovic to track across and knock the ball out.
24 min: Muller sportingly chips the ball into touch with Nico Kovac down. The referee stops play but Kovac is quickly back to his feet albeit clutching his lower back. Mornar returns the ball to Switzerland from the throw.
23 min: Croatia knock the ball from side to side probing for an opening but the Swiss are well organised defensively and see the danger off.
22 min: Free-kick to Croatia as Chapuisat is a little late on Simic just inside the Croatian box. The players shake hands as they climb back to their feet and the referee is content for play to continue without further action.
21 min: Murat Yakin switches play with a marvellous ball from right to left where Wicky tries to get a cross in. Simunic blocks it out at the expense of a throw.
20 min: Hakan Yakin gets a yard of space 30 yards from the Croatia goal but he overhits his attempted through-ball to Chapuisat and Butina is able to race off his line to gather the ball.
19 min: Mornar runs at Spycher but is well challenged and for a split second Spycher has a little space. Mornar does not neglect his defensive duties, though, and is quickly back to regain possession for Croatia.
18 min: Switzerland knock the ball around nicely without making any real progress until Haas miscontrols out wide on the right and the ball slides out of play.
17 min: Hakan Yakin tries to weave a little magic 30 yards or so from the Croatian goal but Bjelica snaps into the tackle and slides the ball clear.
16 min: Free-kick to Croatia 10 yards inside their own half as Frei catches Zivkovic with a high boot. They work the ball out to the right before coming back the other way. Josip Simunic eventually lofts the ball to Olic down the left but he fails to keep possession and Benjamin Huggel brings the ball clear for the Swiss.
16 min: The ball in from the right is a poor one and Butina is able to claim unchallenged.
15 min: A long clearance downfield is flicked on and Frei finds space down the inside right channel. His dipping shot is pushed away by Butina and the Croatian defence are back well to clear the ball away for a corner.
14 min: Stiel's clearance is a poor one and Prso has a shooting chance but he snatches his effort and pulls it wide of the left-hand post.
14 min: Prso and Olic play a lovely one-two down the left flank with the former bursting into the Swiss penalty area. He goes down under pressure from Haas but Lucilio Cardoso Cortez Batista waves away his appeal for a spot-kick and books the Rangers-bound striker for diving.
13 min: Prso and Spycher get in a tangle down the Croatia right and as the ball goes out both appeal for a throw. The decision goes the way of Switzerland to Prso's frustration. Muller has been told to leave the field for treatment as he is bleeding from a head wound.
12 min: The corner is again fired long but Mornar fails to direct the ball on target.
11 min: Both teams contest the drop-ball - a rare sight in today's football - and Croatia force a throw down the left through Olic. He is able to convert the throw into a corner as Croatia continue to look dangerous down both flanks.
10 min: Mornar powers into space down the right and sends a decent cross in which Olic just fails to control. The ball breaks back out to the halfway line and the referee blows his whistle as Christoph Spycher is down in the Croatia half. As soon as the referee approaches him, he clambers back to his feet and play continues with a drop-ball just inside the Swiss half.
9 min: Frei is left in a heap by Dario Simic out wide. He's been caught with an elbow but was actually off the field when the offence took place. The referee didn't get a clear view of it, but Switzerland have the free-kick anyway as Hakan Yakin was fouled infield.
9 min: The corner is drilled in towards the back post but Muller is there to head clear. Frei just can't keep it in play and Croatia have a throw down the right. Dado Prso picks it up and works it to Mornar but his cross in is headed clear by Murat Yakin.
8 min: Olic races down the left flank onto a lovely ball from Bjelica but his cut-back is hacked behind for a corner by Patrick Muller.
8 min: Vogel tries to find Haas marauding down the right but the ball skips out for a Croatia throw-in.
7 min: The outswinging corner finds Zivkovic at the back post but he is unable to get enough on the ball to really trouble Stiel in the Swiss goal.
6 min: The first corner of the game goes to Croatia as Mornar forces Murat Yakin to play the ball behind.
6 min: Chapuisat goes down holding his face after clashing with Zivkovic as they chase a through-ball but the referee waves play on and Croatia clears. Switzerland come again and Hakan Yakin forces Butina into his first real action of the game.
5 min: Boris Zivkovic is unable to control the ball from the free-kick and Bernt Haas is able to force a goal-kick off Olic.
4 min: As Croatia press forward down the right Vogel cynically hacks down Nico Kovac and is the first man into the book.
4 min: Switzerland try to work a move down the left from the free-kick but Wicky is dispossessed on the edge of the Croatian penalty area. Switzerland win the ball back, though, but again Wicky is well tackled and Croatia can bring the ball clear.
3 min: Switzerland probe down the left and win a free-kick as Ivica Mornar goes in a little too strongly on Raphael Wicky.
2 min: Nenad Bjelica steps up to take the free-kick but the effort is a poor one and Jorg Stiel is able to gather comfortably.
2 min: Croatia spread the ball well from right to left where Ivica Olic has to cut back on the inside. The ball is worked to Tomislav Sokoto and he is pulled down by Murat Yakin a couple of yards outside the Swiss box. A dangerous free-kick here for Croatia.
1 min: The first free-kick of the game goes the way of Croatia with Alexander Frei the man penalised for a heavy challenge.
0 min: Switzerland get the action under way.
Pre-match: Croatia boss Otto Baric has thrown goalkeeper Tomislav Butina in at the deep end with first choice Stipe Pletikosa ruled out of the entire tournament with a ruptured thigh muscle. Midfielder Milan Rapaic also misses out. Switzerland's only real concern in the lead-up to the match, Johann Vogel, takes his place in a side which features veteran Stephane Chapuisat in his 102nd international game.
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