Republic of Ireland U-21 2 Switzerland U-21 3
Switzerland embarrassed the Republic of Ireland Under-21s as they came from two goals down to claim all three points at Buckley Park this evening.
Ireland raced into a 2-0 lead after just eight minutes thanks to goals by Andy Reid and Liam Miller, but a Pascal Cerrone effort before half-time gave the Swiss hope.
They then snatched victory with late goals from Alain Rochet and substitute John Vonlanthen.
Don Givens' men couldn't have asked for a better start as they took the lead after just 57 seconds.
Sunderland`s Thomas Butler sent Wes Houlihan clear down the right and he delivered a perfect low cross which was slotted home by Reid at the far post.
A second goal arrived in the eighth minute. Houlihan sent Reid clear down the right with a pinpoint 50-yard pass and when the Nottingham Forest striker's cross was only half cleared by the shaky Swiss defence, Miller rifled home from 25 yards.
But the Irish defence went to sleep in the final minutes of the half as they allowed Cerrone to head home unmarked at the far post after Daniel Gygax had broken free down the right. And it could have been 2-2 at the interval as Murphy pulled off an excellent save from Gygax.
Butler, a late addition to the senior squad, was replaced at half-time by Michael Doyle and the new man was immediately in the action as he instigated a move which led to Tierney crossing for Barrett, whose header was easily grasped by Marco Wolfli.
Barrett was again at the heart of the action moments later when his snap-shot from the edge of the area had Wolfli hurrying across his goalmouth, although the striker's effort was just inches wide.
Switzerland lifted their game in the closing 20 minutes, forcing a succession of corners whilst the home defence also lost their discipline and conceded countless free-kicks.
From one such free-kick in the 75th minute, the visitors equalised. Gygax's inswinging cross from the right looked to be drifting to safety but Rochat headed the ball back over Murphy and into the net despite the best efforts of Clifford Byrne on the line.
Miller forced a save out of Wolfli but it was the Swiss who continued to dominate and it was they who grabbed the winning goal four minutes from time when John Vonlanthen scored from an acute angle.