BBC SPORT | Football | Internationals (original) (raw)

Tranquillo Barnetta (left) opened the scoring

Switzerland warmed up for the World Cup finals in clinical style as Scotland failed to end a 10-year wait for a victory in a friendly at Hampden Park.

Tranquillo Barnetta volleyed home from close range and then turned provider as Daniel Gygax headed in from another cross from the Swiss right.

Debutant Gary Teale sent Kenny Miller clear to drive the ball under Swiss goalkeeper Fabio Coltorti.

But Ricardo Cabanas fired high into the net to restore the two-goal lead.

Scotland manager Walter Smith had decided against experimenting with his side, starting with well-known faces in his 3-5-2 formation.

But, after recent advances, Smith will have been disappointed by an ineffectual, pedestrian performance against a side that were efficient rather than exceptional.

Barry Ferguson and Miller returned after missing Scotland's last friendly against the USA through injury.

Gary Caldwell and James McFadden were also given starts with Paul Hartley, Steven Pressley and Neil McCann out injured and Garry O'Connor in Moscow undergoing a transfer medical.

The Swiss made several changes, although the uncapped Johan Djourou, Blerim Dzemaili and Coltorti had to wait until the second half before earning their first caps.

A McFadden free-kick flew a foot wide and Miller sent a weak effort straight at Swiss goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuhler after a clever flick through from Ferguson.

But the visitors were the more incisive and Barnetta opened the scoring with a powerful volley from 16 yards after a cross from Cabanas.

Miller was unlucky after weaving past marker Valon Behrami, his shot being blocked by Phillippe Senderos on its way to goal as Scotland started to enjoy more possession.

But, when McFadden lost possession in midfield, Barnetta crossed for Gygax to head home from eight yards as Scotland were exposed down their own left for a second time.

Christian Dailly was the unlikely threat in the box on a couple of occasions before Scotland pulled a goal back.

Wigan winger Teale had come on at half-time to win his first cap along with goalkeeper Neil Alexander and sent a superb ball through for Miller, who drove it under the advancing Coltorti.

The Swiss goalkeeper did well to turn a header from substitute Steven Caldwell over the bar.

But Scotland's hopes of a fight back were ended when Cabanas beat a couple of desperate lunges to fire in Switzerland's third.

Scotland: Gordon (Neil Alexander 49), Dailly, Weir (Steven Caldwell 56), Webster, Graham Alexander, Fletcher, Ferguson (Teale 50), Gary Caldwell, Quashie, Miller, McFadden.
Subs Not Used: Naysmith, Anderson, Maloney, Riordan, McCulloch, Murray, Marshall.

Goals: Miller 55.

Switzerland: Zuberbuhler (Coltorti 50), Degen, Senderos (Lustrinelli 73), Grichting, Behrami (Djourou 50), Barnetta, Vogel (Dzemaili 81), Cabanas, Wicky (Vonlanthen 50), Streller (Smiljanic 74), Gygax.
Subs Not Used: Muller.

Goals: Barnetta 21, Gygax 41, Cabanas 69.

Att: 20,952

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