 | McFadden tries to outfox Daniel Gygax |
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Scotland's dismal record in international friendly matches at Hampden continued as they fell tamely to Switzerland in Glasgow. It is ten years since the Scots last won a challenge game at their home ground and this was another familiar story as they were brushed aside by a competent Swiss side. Walter Smith took the chance to blood Neil Alexander and Gary Teale in the second half as he looks at all of his options before the EURO2008 qualifying campaign. But Switzerland, preparing for the World Cup finals, controlled the game for long periods and merited their victory.
James McFadden brushed the side-netting with a 20-yard free-kick after seven minutes and Kenny Miller should have done better eight minutes later when Barry Ferguson put him through but he could get no power in his shot. But Switzerland took the lead after 21 minutes when Tranquillo Barnetta volleyed in a simple goal after Ricardo Cabanas was given too much time to pick him out. Scotland tried to hit back, but too often their final cross into the Swiss penalty area was shoddy. Christian Dailly headed a Darren Fletcher corner just a yard too high and Milller wasted another chance when Fletcher put him through, but he wanted too much time and his shot was deflected for a corner. The Scots were again slack defensively four minutes from the break as Barnetta crossed for Daniel Gygax to head the ball past Craig Gordon to make it 2-0.
 | Miller and Philippe Senderos |
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Miller pulled a goal back nine minutes into the second half when he beat the Swiss offside trap to slip the ball home. Steve Caldwell then saw a header tipped over the top by substitute goalkeeper Fabio Coltori. But Cabanas made it 3-1 after 69 minutes when he lashed the ball into the roof of the net after Marco Streller set him up to ruin any hopes of a comeback.
Scotland: Gordon (Neil Alexander 49), Dailly, Weir (Steven Caldwell 56), Webster, Graham Alexander, Fletcher, Ferguson (Teale 50), Gary Caldwell, Quashie, Miller, McFadden.
Subs Not Used: Naysmith, Anderson, Maloney, Riordan, McCulloch, Murray, Marshall
Goals: Miller 55
Switzerland: Zuberbuhler (Coltorti 50), Degen, Senderos (Lustrinelli 73), Grichting, Behrami (Djourou 50), Barnetta, Vogel (Dzemaili 81), Cabanas, Wicky (Vonlanthen 50), Streller (Smiljanic 74), Gygax.
Subs Not Used: Muller
Goals: Barnetta 21, Gygax 41, Cabanas 69
Att: 20,952
Ref: Bruno Coue (France)
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