On-form Swiss cruise past Liechtenstein
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
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Switzerland 5-1 Liechtenstein
The hosts moved within three points of Group 5 leaders Croatia after easing past Heinz Fuchsbichler's men in Thun.
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Switzerland made light work of Liechtenstein in Thun to keep in touch with Group 5 leaders Croatia.
With Pierluigi Tami's team three up at half-time through Remo Freuler, Pajtim Kasami and Michael Frey, Silvan Widmer stretched the lead further four minutes after the restart. Simon Kühne pulled one back for the visitors before Haris Tabakovic completed the scoring in added time to leave the Swiss three points behind Croatia in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying.
Frey was denied by Lorenzo Lo Russo as the hosts started on the front foot and they eventually earned the breakthrough as Freuler fired in low on 32 minutes. Four minutes later captain Kasami broke from his own half before providing a smart finish to double the advantage and Frey found time to swoop on a loose ball and slide in before the interval.
Widmer added a fourth in the 49th minute though it was not all doom and gloom for Heinz Fuchsbichler's side as Kühne was sent clear and supplied a casual finish to register the country's first goal of the campaign. Tabakovic connected with a perfect Matteo Tosetti cross in the 91st minute to round off the Swiss success.