Group Four Switzerland 1 France 1: Switzerland will travel to Dublin full of confidence after producing what their coach Kobi Kuhn described as "without doubt the most beautiful performance" of his tenure against France at the Stade de Suisse on Saturday.
Ludovic Magnin's deflected free kick 10 minutes before the end secured a 1-1 draw for Switzerland, but a point was the least they deserved after dominating for long periods against an uninspired French side.
Switzerland will now finish top of the group if they beat Ireland 1-0 at Lansdowne Road and France fail to win by five clear goals against Cyprus. They remain unbeaten in their last 12 matches, and a delighted Kuhn said: "We were fantastic tonight. That's the best we've played since I arrived and I'm extremely proud of my players."
Kuhn, who turns 62 on Wednesday, added: "Winning in Dublin would be the perfect birthday present. We still need the points and so do Ireland. It will be like a final, but on this showing we have every reason to believe."
The Swiss press shared the coach's optimism, using words like "breathtaking", "thrilling" and "magnificent" to describe the performance.
"Switzerland displayed an ultra-modern style, playing at great speed," purred SonntagsBlick , while Le Matin wrote: "Apart from the 15 minutes following Djibril Cisse's goal, Switzerland had the measure of Zidane's France. Now this marvellous Swiss side can get their World Cup ticket stamped in Dublin."
Switzerland were unfortunate not to be leading at half-time. France boss Raymond Domenech had left Cisse on the bench, and as a result Sylvain Wiltord was isolated in attack.
In contrast, Alexander Frei, ably supported by Johan Vonlanthen, Rafael Wicky, Ricardo Cabanas and Tranquillo Barnetta, posed the French defence numerous problems with his intelligent movement.
A string of incisive interventions from Gregory Coupet saved the French, as did some favourable refereeing decisions. Jean-Alain Boumsong was fortunate to receive only a yellow card when he hauled Frei down as the Rennes striker broke clear, while two strong penalty appeals were waved away.
"When you see the protection that they get from referees, you have to wonder if, commercially speaking, France must go to Germany at all cost," stated Le Matin.
Les Bleus were just 10 minutes away from sealing their qualification. The introduction of Cisse at half-time had at least given them a cutting edge and the Liverpool striker scored from their first real attack on 52 minutes. But with the excellent Johan Vogel snuffing out the threat of Zidane, France's impotency will be a worry to Domenech ahead of the visit of Cyprus.
"We were made to suffer by a good team who showed great desire, aggression and physical strength," Domenech said.
Domenech blamed the poor showing on tiredness, with several key players, including Zidane and Lilian Thuram, unable to prepare fully because of injuries. The fatigue levels will have increased after their return flight was delayed by bad weather. "We arrived at Clairefontaine at 4:30am. The players are exhausted," Domenech said yesterday.
Switzerland have no such worries and will head to Dublin with a spring in their step. Goal-hero Magnin said: "We don't need to fear anybody anymore. If we win in Ireland, the chances are we'll qualify as group winners. Considering our team spirit and our belief and our passion, I'm convinced we'll get the result we need."
Switzerland will be hoping to repeat recent history when they travel to Dublin. They beat the Republic home and away during their successful qualifying campaign for Euro 2004 before drawing 1-1 in in their September 2004 World Cup qualifier in Basle.
"We'll certainly bear in mind the fact we beat Ireland the last time we played them in Dublin," Kuhn said following the team's return to their training camp outside Zurich.
"But we will also be aware that we'll be taking on a team who are not easy to beat, who throw everything they have into their matches and who possess a great fighting spirit.
"The atmosphere in Dublin will be like a cauldron but there will be pressure on the Irish too as they have to win to have any chance of reaching the finals.
"I think it will come down to which team has recovered best from Saturday's matches, who has the better stamina and who copes best with the situation."
Unlike Ireland, Switzerland would be guaranteed at least a play-off spot as group runners-up in the event of a draw. Kuhn hinted that his starting line-up in Dublin would be similar to Saturday's game.
SWITZERLAND: Zuberbuhler, Degen, Magnin, Muller, Senderos, Barnetta (Behrami 90), Cabanas, Vogel, Wicky (Grichting 83), Frei, Vonlanthen (Gygax 60). Subs not used: Coltorti, Smiljanic, Spycher, Huggel, Lustrinelli. Booked: Barnetta. Goal: Magnin 79.
FRANCE: Coupet, Boumsong, Gallas, Reveillere, Thuram, Vieira, Makelele, Malouda (Govou 90), Zidane, Dhorasoo (Cisse 46), Wiltord. Subs not used: Landreau, Squillaci, Jurietti, Diarra, Camara. Booked: Makelele. Goal: Cisse 52.
Referee: Terje Hauge (Norway).
