Compact Northern Ireland frustrate Swiss after frantic start Conor Washington missed Northern Ireland's only major chance of the match early onīaraclough had a big decision to make when in-form Blackpool striker Shayne Lavery had to pull out of this qualifier double-header with injury ahead of the squad meeting up. But when the goal went in, it felt increasingly like Northern Ireland's chance of earning any sort of positive result had been dealt an almost knock-out blow. They came within seconds of making it without conceding to the interval, when they could have had a much-needed rest and regrouped. With Stuart Dallas switching to the left wing-back role occupied by Lewis, and Baraclough setting the side up in a 5-3-1 formation, the visitors responded well to going down to 10 men and continued to frustrate their hosts.
Replays showed that the ball was out of play for 23 seconds and, while the referee had spoken to the visiting players a few times beforehand about taking too much time, the look of shock and dismay on the faces of Lewis, his team-mates and the Northern Ireland bench could not have been stronger. The defender can have no complaints for his booking for a tug on Embolo, but rarely in a match at this level is a player shown a yellow card - and the red that came with this one - for time-wasting with almost 55 minutes of the match to play. That penalty proved decisive over two legs and the red card shown to Jamal Lewis by referee Slavko Vincic in the 37th minute of this match also had a hugely damaging impact on Northern Ireland's World Cup hopes.
NI suffer again from referee's decision against Switzerlandįew Northern Ireland supporters will have forgotten the penalty decision against Switzerland in the 2018 World Cup play-off first leg at Windsor Park, when a spot-kick was given against Corry Evans for handball when the ball looked very much like it struck his shoulder. Just minutes later Northern Ireland, captained on the night by Paddy McNair on his 50th cap, had a great chance when lone frontman Conor Washington got through on goal but took the shot with his left foot and it was straight at goalkeeper Yann Sommer. The dramatic tone for the match had been set in the fourth minute as the hosts thought they had taken the lead through Denis Zakaria, but the goal was ruled out after a lengthy VAR review. They wasted a number of good chances after the break as Northern Ireland's 10 men tired, before Fassnacht sealed the victory by finishing unmarked from a good pass by Embolo. A mix-up between Jordan Thompson and Craig Cathcart let Breel Embolo through and he fed Zuber, who slotted home well past Bailey Peacock-Farrell. Switzerland's opening goal came in the final second of the third minute of added time in the first half. Lewis's suspension will add to the long list of players Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough is without for Tuesday's qualifier away to Bulgaria. Highlights: Controversy as Northern Ireland lose to Switzerland.Baraclough slams 'diabolical' decision to send off Lewis.The second-placed Swiss are now six points ahead of NI in Group C.Īfter Bulgaria lost earlier on Saturday to Lithuania, the two sides went into the match in a battle for second place and the play-off place it secures, but the Swiss are now strong favourites to claim that slot with three qualification games left. Steven Zuber and Christian Fassnacht scored in stoppage time of each half for the hosts.
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