World Cup: Portugal too much to handle, says Switzerland coach Yakin
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Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri looks dejected after the match as Switzerland are eliminated from the World Cup.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LUSAIL – Switzerland coach Murat Yakin said his team had simply been beaten by a better side after Tuesday’s 6-1 hammering at the hands of Portugal in the World Cup round of 16.
“Our opponent today was better, faster, more offensive and our plan didn’t work out and we have to accept that,” he said.
“We had great plans, we wanted to make history, we showed great football in the group stage and now we faced an opponent, a better opponent but we can still be proud of what we have achieved here.
“We are seeing that the great teams are advancing here, some were able to rest players and then they had freshness. We were lacking that freshness.”
The 48-year-old added that defender Fabian Schar, who had to be replaced at half-time, had been struggling with his breath.
Asked about his future, Yakin said: “We lost a game today and that doesn’t mean we have to be too pessimistic and criticise everything.
“We showed great spirit and we have to just accept that the opponent was better and we have to put that behind us and look forward.”
Switzerland midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri, meanwhile, apologised to their fans after the humiliating thrashing.
Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick, with Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro and Rafael Leao also on the scoresheet, as Portugal put Switzerland – Manuel Akanji scored a consolation goal for the Swiss in the 58th minute – to the sword to storm into their first World Cup quarter-final since 2006.
“Today, we have to apologise to all Switzerland fans in the name of the team. That was not our true face tonight,” Shaqiri said.
“We’re very disappointed. We were shown our limits tonight. The coach gave us a plan but it did not work out for us. We lost the game already in the first half (2-0 down) and were always a step too late.”
Switzerland have not reached the last eight at the World Cup since 1954.
They were impressive in qualifying for Qatar, edging out Italy to top their group after an unbeaten run of five wins and three draws while scoring a respectable 15 goals.
Their group stage performance was equally steady, but the major difference to their qualifying campaign was that any semblance of attacking verve deserted them on arrival in Qatar.
An opening 1-0 win over Cameroon was followed up by a loss to Brazil by the same scoreline, but over the two games they managed just three shots on target. Against Serbia they had to come back from 2-1 down to win 3-2 and secure second spot in the group.
Against Portugal, they froze again.
Portugal defender Ruben Dias (left) and Switzerland midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri fight for the ball.
PHOTO: AFP
“We did not show the mentality we usually bring onto the pitch,” Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer added. “It’s a very bitter evening.” REUTERS
