Ireland v Switzerland KO: 19:45 TV: Setanta Ireland

keith16 · 25-03-2016 11:54am #1

This will be a decent test for the Irish. Team news:

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill wants to see fringe players seize their chance in the friendly with Switzerland on Friday.

With Stoke striker Jon Walters, Bournemouth's Harry Arter and Derby's Jeff Hendrick all out with injuries, O'Neill will be forced to shuffle his pack at the Aviva Stadium.

While Walters, Arter and Hendrick are out, Robbie Keane and Robbie Brady are expected to be fit.

Keane missed training for two days running but O'Neill says the forward "will participate in some of these matches". Brady trained during the week after a shoulder injury along with Shane Long and Glenn Whelan.

Tonight’s opponents, Switzerland, are also going to France this summer and have drawn a quite favourable group alongside the hosts, Romania and Albania.

The Swiss were well-beaten twice by England in the group but proved very consistent in their remaining games, winning seven out of eight to qualify.
Like Ireland, Vladimir Petkovic’s side are better than the sum of their parts and will prove decent opposition in what should be a competitive outing considering both sides will be looking to impress their respective coaches.

Petkovic appears a very tough taskmaster and has dropped captain Gökhan Inler from his squad due to his lack of club football at English Premier League leaders Leicester.

Switzerland could easily be put into that category of team that would be of a similar standard to Ireland and more importantly, they should have proved similar to what Sweden might offer in June as they have one real world class player in Xherdan Shaqiri.

However, it looks as though the Stoke City star will not be risked as he is struggling with an injury, while Stephan Lichtsteiner is also set to miss out.
But the Swiss do have some decent players to test the Irish, in particular Granit Xhaka in midfield, while players like Watford’s Valon Behrami are well known.

And Everton’s Shani Tarashaj, who is out on loan at Grasshoppers, is rated highly and may start in attack, alongside either Admir Mehmedi or fellow Bundesliga striker Haris Seferovic.

Prediction: expect a rowdier crowd than usual as people flock to the stadium as the only source of booze this good Friday. Expect the Swiss fans to head into town after and become increasingly bewildered as they realise there is not a drop to be had.

As such, 0-0.

syngindub · 25-03-2016 5:23pm

Apart from the Aviva Bar being opened , there isn't much else to get excited about this one.

briany · 25-03-2016 6:27pm

syngindub wrote: »

Apart from the Aviva Bar being opened , there isn't much else to get excited about this one.

A friendly tie with the Swiss has an air of boringness tinged with lingering bitterness. However, these friendlies are all we have to see how this team is progressing towards getting something other than the wooden spoon at the Euros.

Francie Barrett · 25-03-2016 6:40pm

Teams?

whatawaster81 · 25-03-2016 6:43pm

Ireland team has been named: Randolph, Coleman, Duffy, Clark, Brady, Judge, Meyler, Quinn, McGeady, Long, Doyle.

Kermit.de.frog · 25-03-2016 6:50pm

Eamon Dunphy on Randolph follow the 1-0 victory over Germany:

Brady: "The goalkeeper has done quite well here..." (kick-out for Long)

Dunphy: "Yeah, He's the best goalkeeper in the world, and he is the best goalkeeper in the world..."

Brady: "I'm talking about our goalkeeper Eamon..."

ctrl-alt-delete · 25-03-2016 7:13pm

I'm looking forward to seeing what Judge can offer, always thought he was a decent player when at Blackburn.

Mint Sauce · 25-03-2016 7:15pm

Not on RTE or any of the ITVs?

LeBash · 25-03-2016 7:17pm

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Not on RTE or any of the ITVs?

Setanta which is a pain cause the pub isn't open

JustTheOne · 25-03-2016 7:33pm

Kevin Doyle.

Thought he was finished.

Aidric · 25-03-2016 7:36pm

Swiss TV pundits just said the Irish lads will still be drunk from the St Patrick's day celebrations so should be a comfortable Swiss win.

I think that's a tad harsh and we'll probably get a 1-1 draw.

25-03-2016 7:39pm

Any games on free TV tonight?

Tomagotchye · 25-03-2016 7:40pm

Want to be getting a win here. Would rate Switz as similar to ourselves really. They have a fine national anthem though! Good lungs guys.

Think the team selection is pretty lacking. Why play Doyle? We should already know not to use him/ bring him to France

JustTheOne · 25-03-2016 7:41pm

This is ridiculous. Just get on with the match.

weadick · 25-03-2016 7:41pm

Jesus that reading of the proclamation was cringe worthy.

25-03-2016 7:43pm

Surprised to see doyle, 2 up front so

25-03-2016 7:44pm

weadick wrote: »

Jesus that reading of the proclamation was cringe worthy.

Fair play to the young lads I say

Have a bit of pride

briany · 25-03-2016 7:44pm

weadick wrote: »

Jesus that reading of the proclamation was cringe worthy.

The lads reading it looked fairly embarrassed/uncomfortable themselves, though I suppose being in front of a big crowd can do that. The unison reading was one thing, but the outfits weren't needed. All very easy for me and ye to say as an Internet wag, though.

weadick · 25-03-2016 7:45pm

briany wrote: »

The lads reading it looked fairly embarrassed themselves. The unison reading was one thing, but the outfits weren't needed. All very easy for me and ye to say as an Internet wag, though.

Made us look like a Mickey Mouse country.

25-03-2016 7:47pm

Lol can't hear the co commentator at all on setanta

briany · 25-03-2016 7:49pm

Great start.

ctrl-alt-delete · 25-03-2016 7:49pm

Duffy nearly gets his head to every Blackburn corner, nice to see him have an instant impact tonight, good start for the central pairing.

Duff · 25-03-2016 7:49pm

Lovely stuff. New jersey is a thing of beauty.

Tomagotchye · 25-03-2016 7:50pm

1-0 Clark from a corner. **** defending. Solid start

25-03-2016 7:50pm

Great ball from Brady

Goal!!

Weak defending from Switzerland

Francie Barrett · 25-03-2016 7:50pm

Aidric wrote: »

Swiss TV pundits just said the Irish lads will still be drunk from the St Patrick's day celebrations so should be a comfortable Swiss win.

I think that's a tad harsh and we'll probably get a 1-1 draw.

:eek:

Might be right :pac:

Mr.Nice Guy · 25-03-2016 7:50pm

An appropriate surname for the first goalscorer considering the weekend. Where's David Connolly when you need him.

vidor · 25-03-2016 7:51pm

M!Ck^ wrote: »

Have a bit of pride

In something you had nothing to do with.

Anyway, good start.

25-03-2016 7:52pm

vidor wrote: »

In something you had nothing to do with.

Anyway, good start.

Lol k

25-03-2016 8:03pm

Swiss pressing, they have some decent pace in the team

briany · 25-03-2016 8:04pm

I think a lot of teams would be looking at Ireland and be noticing how vulnerable they are to a pressing game. Poland did the same thing in their home game to Ireland and came out victorious.

25-03-2016 8:08pm

Poor doyler

Mr.Nice Guy · 25-03-2016 8:10pm

Is it his ankle?

pebbles21 · 25-03-2016 8:11pm

Anyone got a link please ?

25-03-2016 8:11pm

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Is it his ankle?

Looks like ligament damage

Tomagotchye · 25-03-2016 8:14pm

Bad for Doyle. Time for Murphy to shine!!! I've been in his corner for years. Hopefully tonight will be his night for a couple of goals

Harry Palmr · 25-03-2016 8:14pm

How's Embolo doiing?

tinofapples · 25-03-2016 8:15pm

Looked to me like he clashed his right leg with the defender yet the physio cut through his sock on his left leg, injured his standing leg ? It didn't look good for the fella that's for sure.