Ireland improve but not enough

Under-21 Report/Ireland - 0 Switzerland - 1: Manager Don Givens called for a dramatic improvement in his team's performance after scraping a point in Cyprus last week, and he certainly got it here. But despite the courageous display his team still finish their European Championship qualifying campaign without a win since the opening day.

Switzerland, on the other hand, secured their place in November's two-leg play-off for the tournament proper next summer.

The game was played at a ferocious pace and both teams looked to probe at every opportunity.

Ireland passed well in the opening stages and found a profitable outlet down the left. Celtic's Aiden McGeady had the measure of Stephan Lichtsteiner and jinked past him in the second minute to play in Joey O'Brien, but the midfielder's shot went over the bar.

Switzerland soon found a rhythm of their own and striker David Degen tested Wayne Henderson with a neat back-heel from close range, but the Brighton goalkeeper was equal to the task.

Not long after, Degen - twin brother of senior player Philipp - threatened again but he could not get the touch on Davide Calla's low cross.

Degen was not to be denied a third time, however, and he found the net after 13 minutes. Schwegler sprayed a cross-field ball to Lichtsteiner and the full back crossed for Degen who required two attempts to stab the ball over the line.

But Ireland regrouped smartly. Glenn Whelan was the orchestrator in midfield for much of the home side's best work, and after finding O'Brien up field with a precise pass he looked on as the Bolton player shot just wide.

Irish action in front of the Swiss goal was more sporadic than spectacular, and the visitors were more deliberate in the final third. Ireland made a bright start to the second period and Willo Flood tested the defence with a slinky run down the right. He showed a nice turn of foot to get past Buhler on the end line but could find no way through the covering defence.

John Fitzgerald came close to equalising after 65 minutes but his firm header from Whelan's ball was superbly tipped over. Then, in a tense finish, the home support were left screaming for a penalty 10 minutes from time but the Croatian referee deemed Reto Ziegler's tackle on Paul McShane a legitimate one.

REP OF IRELAND: Henderson; Deery, McShane, Fitzgerald, Painter; Flood, Whelan, O'Brien, McGeady; Ward, Tabb. Subs: O'Donovan for O'Brien (81 mins). Booked: Deery (60 mins), McShane (72 mins).

SWITZERLAND: Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Von Bergen, Rochat, Buhler; Calla, Schwegler, Kulaksizoglu, Ziegler; Degen, Margairaz. Subs: Schneuwly for Calla (87 mins), Marazzi for Ziegler (89 mins), Zambrella for Margairaz (90 mins).

Referee: D Kovacic (Croatia)