Switzerland squeeze by Armenia
Thursday, June 4, 2009
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Switzerland 2-1 Armenia
After taking an early two-goal lead, Switzerland were forced to repel a strong second-half performance from their visitors who hit the post twice.
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Switzerland narrowly defeated Armenia in their opening qualifying round Group 2 match for the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Denmark.
Fast start
Pierre-André Schürmann's team started strongly at the Bergholz Stadium in Wil and went in front through FC Basel 1893's Eren Derdiyok in the 17th minute. Shkelzen Gashi doubled the hosts' lead soon after but Switzerland relaxed in the second half and Armenia came back into it. Henrikh Mkhitaryan hit the post twice and the visitors finally got one back six minutes from time through Mihran Manasyan. There was still time for Armenia's scorer to be sent off, though, allowing Switzerland to hold on and join Turkey on top of the section.