Yakin opener leaves Ireland with uphill task

Switzerland 1 Repubic of Ireland 0 (half-time)

Switzerland 1 Repubic of Ireland 0 (half-time)

Ireland were given a mountain to climb when they fell behind after only six minutes in their crucial Euro 2004 qualifier against Switzerland in Basel today.

The goal came when Manchester United defender John O'Shea failed to clear a ball on the edge of the area.

Alexander Frei drove an angled low cross into the six-yard box and Hakan Yakin showed superb composure as he nipped ahead of Matt Holland, skipped round Shay Given and slotted home.

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It was Yakin who scored Switzerland's first goal in their 2-1 win in Dublin a year ago - which proved to be Mick McCarthy's final game in charge, and he was clearly going to be a thorn in Ireland's side.

Indeed it was Yakin who forced Given to make an important stop with a fierce drive two minutes later, and Gary Breen was on hand to hook away the rebound.

Ireland might have equalised after 10 minutes when Duff drilled a low ball into the Swiss area and Kilbane laid it off nicely for Healy, but the Celtic man snatched at his free shot and screwed it wide of the far post.