Late Garvan leveller hampers Switzerland

Owen Garvan struck deep into added time to earn the Republic of Ireland a 1-1 draw against Group 2 leaders Switzerland in Waterford.

Frei opener
Ireland, still searching for their first win in the phase after drawing two of their first three games, dominated the opening 45 minutes and would have been disappointed not to have created more in the final third. Their lack of guile appeared likely to cost them dearly when Fabian Frei opened the scoring for the visitors after 58 minutes only for Garvan to earn Don Givens's men a deserved point with the last effort of the contest.

Telling saves
Switzerland had the better of the chances in the first half with goalkeeper Shane Redmond saving from point-blank range on 17 minutes from Mario Gavranovic while Alessandro Ciarocchi saw a strike disallowed for handball. Frank Feltscher missed a glorious opening after the interval but Pierluigi Tami's men finally forged ahead when Frei finished after Valentin Stocker had hit the post. Yann Sommer's two agile saves appeared to have secured the points for Switzerland only for Daniel Pavlovic to fail to clear a Keith Treacy cross, allowing Garvan to thump in.

Summit meeting
Switzerland now lead Turkey by just a single point having played a game more after their rivals scored a last-gasp goal of their own to defeat Armenia earlier on Tuesday – setting things up perfectly for the sides' summit meeting in Trabzon on 14 November.