MX23RW : Wednesday, April 24 23:35:08| >> :600:2507563:2507563:
[monks data]
Republic of Ireland national football team
International Friendlies
Mar 25, 2016 at 7.45pm UK
 
Switzerland national football team

1-0

Clark (3')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Ciaran Clark's header gives Republic of Ireland slender win over Switzerland

Ciaran Clark's third-minute header earns the Republic of Ireland a 1-0 win over Switzerland in their international friendly in Dublin.

Ciaran Clark's third-minute header was enough to give the Republic of Ireland a 1-0 win over Switzerland in their international friendly at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Friday evening.

It is the first victory that the Irish nation have claimed over Switzerland since 1992, when they defeated a team coached by now-England manager Roy Hodgson.

Martin O'Neill's side got off to the perfect start when Clark struck in the third minute from a corner kick, which was taken by Robbie Brady.

The ball was whipped in towards Shane Duffy, who kept the move alive by heading towards goal and finding Clark, who nodded home from close range.

Ciaran Clark of Republic of Ireland celebrates scoring the opening goal during the international friendly against Switzerland at Aviva Stadium on March 25, 2016© Getty Images

After Ireland took the lead, Switzerland ramped up their attack and had a wave of chances, one of which was created by Blerim Dzemaili, who unleashed a shot from the edge of the area with his first touch, but it was too high and surged over the crossbar.

Haris Seferovic showed some individual skill by turning inside the box before firing towards the net, but his effort just trickled wide of the post.

The Swiss kept knocking on the door and both Dzemaili and Seferovic were involved again as the midfielder whipped in a corner and found his teammate, who headed over the bar.

The hosts were dealt a blow when Kevin Doyle was stretchered off just before the half-hour mark following a heavy challenge from Timm Klose, but they managed to keep Switzerland at bay for the remainder of the first half.

Kevin Doyle leaves the field on a stretcher during the international friendly between Republic of Ireland and Switzerland at Aviva Stadium on March 25, 2016© Getty Images

O'Neill's side had a few opportunities to double their lead before the half-time whistle was blown, the closest of which came from Shane Long, who latched on to Seamus Coleman's cross but his header was denied by the crossbar.

After the break, the game mirrored the first half as Switzerland had all the possession but failed to get the ball past goalkeeper Darren Randolph.

The hosts stayed tight and solid at the back, preventing their opponents from finding a way through, and Clark did his bit to hold off the Swiss.

Breel Embolo managed to get into the box and was poised to shoot, but Clark timed his tackle well and made a crucial block.

Daryl Murphy had a decent attempt in the 76th minute when he charged into the box, but instead of playing in his teammates at the far post, he went for glory, and his shot bended high and wide.

Switzerland continued searching for an equaliser, but Ireland managed to hold on to their lead.

ID:269272: cacheID:269272:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6119:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Kevin Doyle leaves the field on a stretcher during the international friendly between Republic of Ireland and Switzerland at Aviva Stadium on March 25, 2016
Read Next:
Kevin Doyle stretchered off during friendly
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
10am
Blanch
Nadal
10am
Cachin
Ofner
10am
Elahi Galan
Bautista-Agut
10am
Gasquet
Sonego
10am
Hanfmann
Mensik
10am
Koepfer
Carballes Baena
10am
Kovacevic
Medjedovic
10am
Lajovic
Monteiro
10am
Machac
Ruusuvuori
10am
Michelsen
Fonseca
10am
Nishioka
Auger-Aliassime
10am
O'Connell
Arnaldi
10am
Purcell
Giron
10am
Ramos-Vinolas
Kotov
10am
Tabilo
Cobolli
10am
Zhizhen
Kecmanovic
10am
Azarenka
Maria
10am
Eala
Cirstea
10am
Annie Fernandez
Potapova
10am
Gauff
Rus
10am
Keys
Camelia-Begu
10am
Podoroska
Navarro
10am
Karolina Schmiedlova
Jabeur
10am
Swiatek
Wang
10am
Baez
Van Assche
10am
Coric
Zverev
10am
Martin Etcheverry
Shapovalov
10am
Humbert
Van De Zandschulp
10am
Hurkacz
Draper
10am
Marozsan
Cerundolo
10am
Paul
Klein
10am
Rublev
Bagnis
10am
Altmaier
Fils
10am
Darderi
Fritz
10am
Griekspoor
Daniel
10am
Munar
Struff
10am
Musetti
Seyboth Wild
10am
Navone
Rune
10am
Shevchenko
Alcaraz
10am
Alexandrova
Krueger
10am
Andreeva
Noskova
10am
Bejlek
Kalinskaya
10am
Boulter
Montgomery
10am
Bronzetti
Rybakina
10am
Collins
Danilovic
3pm
Cristian
Krejcikova
10am
Dolehide
Kalinina
10am
Garcia
Wang
10am
Linette
Sabalenka
10am
Pavlyuchenkova
Saville
10am
Sorribes Tormo
Svitolina
10am
Vekic
Sakkari
11.30am
Arango
Yastremska
11.30am
Osaka
Samsonova
11.30am
Ostapenko
Bouzas Maneiro
1pm
Haddad Maia
Errani
2.30pm
Lourdes Carle
Kudermetova
2.30pm
Mertens
Stephens
Tables header RHS


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!