Frei leads Swiss charge in Moldova
Saturday 28 March 2009
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Alexander Frei showed his class in Chisinau (©Getty Images)
Ottmar Hitzfeld's side remain very much in the running in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 2 after Alexander Frei opened their account against Moldova.
One-on-one
Switzerland were not intimidated by a capacity crowd at the Zimbru Stadium in Chisinau, and while Moldova fielded three strikers they were unable to trouble visiting goalkeeper Diego Benaglio. Hitzfeld's team looked dangerous every time they caught the hosts on the counterattack, with Frei showing his class on 32 minutes when he made no mistake after going one-on-one with Stanislav Namasco in the Moldova goal.
Geneva rematch
Moldovan spirits were lifted a little after the break as Igor Bugaiov drew a brilliant save from Benaglio from the rebound after his initial free-kick from the edge of the area had clattered into the Switzerland wall. However, the visitors defended diligently thereafter as Igor Dobrovolski's men failed to find a goal to help Football Association of Moldova president Pavel Cebanu celebrate his 54th birthday. Indeed, Moldova fell further behind when Gelson Fernandes headed Switzerland's second from a late corner. The two sides meet again in Geneva on Wednesday.
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