INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Switzerland is already behind schedule after just one game started. world cup. Coach Murat Yakin says there is still plenty of time for his team to get where they want to be.
The Swiss know they are under pressure when they face dominant Bosnia and Herzegovina in the second group stage leg at the SoFi Stadium on Thursday.
The 19th-ranked Swiss are widely favored to advance as the highest-ranked and most accomplished team in the group, but Di Nati suffered a shocking defeat in their first match in Northern California last weekend. Qatar overcame a 1-1 draw He scored in the 4th minute of extra time in the second half.
That means Switzerland must perform well in their next two matches to avoid an embarrassing result for a team that still believes they have a chance to win the World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 1938.
“I’m optimistic,” Yakin said Wednesday night through an interpreter. “I have faith in the players. We have an experienced team and we know how to deal with stress well. …Of course we expected a different start. We have to stay focused, but the way we played was definitely positive. However, you can’t buy anything with it yet.”
Some of that stress may be in the dressing room. Swiss media reported this week that some players were unhappy in the dressing room. Veteran captain Granit Xhakahe harshly criticized the team, including himself, both privately and publicly after the opening game.
Xhaka’s high-octane approach to the sport is well known from his club career in England and Germany. Swiss midfielder Remo Freuler did not confirm reports of a clash in the locker room, but said intensity should not be an issue at the World Cup.
“Yes, Granite is a person who expresses himself very freely and may express criticism, but it is also very important,” said Freuler. “He is very open and speaks freely about those things. If you are too sensitive, football may not be for you, because we have to consider these things and we have to be critical.”
Switzerland’s only goal against Qatar came from the penalty spot, despite having 68% possession, and they had seven shots on target, creating chances equal to their expected goals rate of 3.20. The Swiss realize that they have left Qatar alone for too long and that it has cost them dearly.
“I thought it was very important to stay focused until the end of the game,” Yaquin said. “If you look at the statistics, we played well, but we lost two points so we can’t gain anything.”
Switzerland’s next match will be against Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, so a good result against Bosnia will almost certainly be needed to keep Switzerland’s dreams of World Cup success alive. The Bosnian team also expects a healthy fan attendance in Los Angeles.
Die Nati has lost seven consecutive World Cup finals, and it is still not certain that they will advance to the finals in North America.
Bosnia opened the tournament last weekend Holding co-host Canada to a draw, Showing even stronger performance That charming ride He became the second player in history to qualify for the World Cup. Dragons upset Wales Italy In March, he achieved an unlikely qualification.
“We have a lot of respect for Switzerland, but they have proven in the past that they can win against strong opponents,” Dragons coach Sergey Barbares said. “I would like to see your current form.”
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
