Swiss hold out to book World Cup berth
Wednesday, 16 November 2005 22:38Switzerland scraped through to the World Cup finals tonight on away goals after drawing 4-4 with Turkey over two legs in their European playoff.
Turkey won a thrilling return match 4-2 but Switzerland, leading 2-0 after an impressive performance in Saturday's first leg in Bern, clinched their place at Germany 2006.
The Swiss appeared to be cruising when Alex Frei converted a second minute penalty following an Alpay Ozalan handball but Turkey then seemed set to turn the tie around.
Two first-half headed goals from Fenerbahce striker Tuncay Sanli and an early second half penalty from Necati Ates put the home side within one goal of an aggregate victory.
But as the 2002 World Cup semi-finalists threw everyone forward, the Swiss counter attacked and Marco Streller calmly slotted home in the 84th minute to restore their overall lead.
"You have to congratulate our players after they fell 1-0 behind," Turkey coach Fatih Terim told Turkish television.
"I say well done to them (Switzerland) but I have never seen two such immoral referees both here and there".
"Some of our players lost their concentration and as a result we conceded two goals."
With a minute left, Tuncay headed another goal to complete his hat-trick but it was little consolation for Turkey.
Switzerland's celebrations were confined to the dressing room as their players quickly left the pitch under a hailstorm of objects thrown by the disappointed home fans.
CNN Turk showed Swiss and Turkish players clashing as they entered the tunnel after the game and security personnel had to hold them back as they headed for the changing rooms.
Swiss defender Stephane Grichting, an unused substitute, was taken to hospital following the clashes in the tunnel, a Swiss Football Association official said.
