Soccer Shorts: Swiss pull off late comeback victory

Swiss pull off late comeback victory

BASEL • Switzerland struck thrice in the last 14 minutes to come from 0-2 down and beat Slovenia 3-2 in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Saturday.

Milivoje Novakovic and Bostjan Cesar netted either side of half time as Slovenia took control of the Group E game against the error-prone hosts who were jeered off at the break. But two goals from Josip Drmic, including the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time, and one by fellow substitute Valentin Stocker completed the turnaround.

The win left the Swiss second in Group E and clear favourites to follow England through.

REUTERS


Austria a draw away from Euro finals

VIENNA • Austria stayed on course for their second European Championship finals appearance after labouring to a 1-0 victory over Moldova on Saturday.

Zlatko Junuzovic scored the winner early in the second half as the unbeaten Austrians stayed top of Group G qualifying with 19 points from seven matches.

They now need one point from the last three games.

REUTERS


Ibrahimovic doubtful after muscle injury

MOSCOW • Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic may miss tomorrow's Euro 2016 qualifier against Group G leaders Austria after sustaining a muscle injury near his ribs during the 0-1 defeat by Russia.

Russia's win put them on 11 points, one behind second-placed Sweden.

REUTERS


Benched Neymar irate despite goal by Hulk

HARRISON (New Jersey) • Hulk celebrated his return to the Brazil side with a 10th-minute strike to give Dunga's men a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica on Saturday in a friendly. But Neymar was not pleased with his 10-minute cameo.

"Being benched is not something I'm used to and I'm not willing to get used to it," the Barcelona star told ESPN Brasil. "I want to play and I'm always working to be amongst the starting XI."

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE


Drogba hits treble for Montreal Impact

MONTREAL • Didier Drogba launched his Major League Soccer career in style on Saturday, scoring a hat-trick on his first start for new club Montreal Impact in a 4-3 win over Chicago Fire.

The former Chelsea striker opened his goal-scoring account on 21 minutes before Chicago battled back into the contest to take a 3-2 lead early in the second half. But two clinical Drogba strikes just after the hour mark capped a memorable evening for the 37-year-old.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE


Sanchez on target in Chile's victory

SANTIAGO • Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez scored in the 82nd minute as Chile beat an under-strength Paraguay 3-2 on Saturday, in their first match after winning their first Copa America in July.

Chile did not seem to miss key midfielder Arturo Vidal, who left Santiago during the week for personal reasons, and dominated the first half against a Paraguay team mostly made up of players from the local league.

REUTERS

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 07, 2015, with the headline Soccer Shorts: Swiss pull off late comeback victory. Subscribe