Switzerland round-up: Basel humbled by Luzern
Sunday, August 18, 2002
Article summary
Champions FC Basel's 3-2 defeat by FC Luzern was the highlight of a busy weekend in Switzerland.
Article body
Nationalliga champions FC Basel's surprise 3-2 defeat at the hands of FC Luzern was the highlight of a busy weekend of action in Switzerland.
Shock lead
Cape Verde midfield player Alexandre Monteiro gave Luzern the lead after 12 minutes, before Basel's Argentinian duo Christian Gimenez and Julio Hernan Rossi changed the complexion of the match in favour of the home team. Basel's Murat Yakin was sent off in the 67th minute after collecting two yellow cards, and Luzern made their numerical advantage count as Diango Malacarne equalised in the 84th minute.
Numerical advantage
The hosts were also reduced to ten men with two minutes remaining when Alexandre Quennoz saw red, but Silvio Enrique secured the most dramatic of victories from the penalty spot in the dying seconds. Basel, beaten 3-1 by Celtic FC in their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round first-leg tie, are now second in the standings.
Grasshoppers bounce back
Grasshopper-Club recovered from their defeat against Luzern last week, beating lowly FC Thun 4-1. Antonio Barijho scored the opener after just eight minutes, before midfield player Ricardo Cabanas doubled their Grasshoppers' advantage 13 minutes after the interval. Goals from Barijho and Mate Baturina extended the lead further, meaning that Yao Aziawonous's late goal was nothing more than a consolation for Thun.
Diarra treble
Elsewhere, Lamine Diarra scored a hat-trick for FC Aarau in his side's convincing 3-1 win against FC Zürich. Diarra scored all three goals in the first half to cap a fine comeback, having watched Zürich take the lead inside the opening five minutes.
Young Boys in charge
BSC Young Boys secured a 2-0 home victory against newly-promoted SR Delémont, as Thomas Häberli and Johan Berisha scored to give the hosts an impregnable lead, while Servette FC played out a 2-2 draw against FC Wil 1900.
Simo the hero
In the weekend's other fixture, ten-man Neuchâtel Xamax FC had Augustine Simo to thank as they beat FC St. Gallen by a single goal, despite seeing Miguel Portillo sent off 15 minutes from time.
