Double celebration: Aurelie Csillag scores the first two Swiss goals in the 3:1 win against Turkey
Keystone
The Swiss women’s national team held their own in the World Cup qualifiers. They beat Turkey 3:1 in Zurich.
The 12,355 spectators at the Letzigrund provided a worthy setting for the anniversary match of the Swiss women’s national team, which played its 400th game. The result was the 139th victory for the SFA selection and the third in the third game of the World Cup qualifiers.
Coach Rafel Navarro’s heart sank that evening. When the Swiss took the lead shortly after the break. It was an attack exactly to the Catalan’s liking. His team combined from the back across several stations. Aurélie Csillag finished off Iman Beney’s sharp cross with her heel.
An instant equalizer and the Swiss response
But Navarro could not enjoy the lead for long. Just four minutes after making it 1:0, Ebru Topcu scored after the Swiss failed to clear the ball properly. The VAR would have disallowed the goal as a Turkish player was offside. However, World Cup qualifying takes place without a video referee, so the goal remained valid.
The Swiss then pressed for the lead again. However, the second Swiss goal required a mistake from the otherwise strong Turkish goalkeeper, who allowed a long-range shot from Géraldine Reuteler to rebound forward with a quarter of an hour remaining. Csillag was on hand to score for the second time that evening. Viola Calligaris was finally responsible for the final score in the 80th minute.
Weak first half
Navarro’s team struggled for a long time against the Turks, who also had maximum points after two games. In the first half in particular, the Swiss did not want to do much. At 65%, they had a significantly higher share of possession. However, they did not know how to capitalize on this. More than once, they lacked accuracy in their build-up play and determination in the final third.
The Turks were different, switching quickly after winning the ball and were closer to scoring in the first half. However, Livia Peng, who was once again preferred to Elvira Herzog, and the edge of the goal prevented them from scoring.
Group victory in sight
With three wins from three games, Switzerland are top of qualifying Group 2 in League B. On Saturday in Sinop, they could already clinch top spot in the group. Even with a draw, Rafel Navarro’s team can hardly be denied a return to League A of the Nations League. As group winners, Switzerland would avoid a League A opponent in the first of two play-off rounds.
Telegram:
Switzerland – Turkey 3:1 (0:0)
Zurich. – 12’355 spectators. – Referee Prychyna (UKR). – Goals: 49. Csillag (Beney) 1:0. 52. Topcu 1:1. 75. Csillag (Reuteler) 2:1. 80. Calligaris (Crnogorcevic) 3:1.
Switzerland: Peng; Riesen (88. Ivelj), Calligaris, Stierli (46. Crnogorcevic), Maritz; Reuteler (85. Sow), Wälti, Schertenleib; Beney, Csillag (85. Fölmli), Xhemaili (68. Kamber).
Turkey: Akgöz; Keskin, Hiz, Karatas, Civelek; Topcu (88. Cin), Icinözbebek; Sakar (72. Pekel), Altunkulak (72. Kaya), Seker (88. Öztürk); Hancar (80. Kardesler).
Remarks: 400th match for the Swiss women’s national team. Cautions: 48 Akgoz. 62 Xhemaili. 65th Icinözbebek.