Home » How Ireland rated vs Switzerland as Bazunu struggles in John O’Shea’s last game

How Ireland rated vs Switzerland as Bazunu struggles in John O’Shea’s last game

How Ireland rated vs Switzerland as Bazunu struggles in John O’Shea’s last game

JOHN O’SHEA tasted defeat to Switzerland in his final game as interim Republic of Ireland Ireland head coach.

Xherdan Shaqiri bagged the winning goal in the first-half, as his free-kick beat Gavin Bazunu at his near post.

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Xherdan Shaqiri fired the winning goal past Bazunu
It was a disappointing end to John O'Shea's run as interim head coach

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It was a disappointing end to John O’Shea’s run as interim head coach
Seamus Coleman was a standout for Ireland

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Seamus Coleman was a standout for Ireland

It could have been two when Granit Xhaka struck the post following an errant Bazunu clearance.

Ireland, meanwhile, struggled to create much in the way of clear cut chances in the opening half, with Josh Cullen, Mikey Johnston, and Andrew Omobamidele all missing the target.

Adam Idah struck wide with a bicycle kick in the second-half while Finn Azaz came off the bench for his senior debut.

Read on to find out how the players rated below.

GAVIN BAZUNU 5

NEVER a good look when a free kick goes in on the goalkeeper’s side and fortunate when Granit Xhaka’s shot came back off the post. His distribution was solid. 

SÉAMUS COLEMAN 7

A surprisingly inclusion given he had started just four games to date on his return from injury as he started his second game in four days. But his usual reliable self. 

ANDREW OMOBAMIDELE 6

NOT afraid to press high up the pitch as Ireland won a lot of possession in dangerous areas and had a great chance for an equaliser.

Republic of Ireland star Chiedozie Ogbene races young fan

NATHAN COLLINS 7

LOOKED very assured as the back three organiser and showed a few nice touches to get out of trouble. 

DARA O’SHEA 6

WAS furious at Burnley teammate Zeki Amdouni who he accused of diving to win the free kick that led to the goal. Otherwise solid. 

Nathan Collins in action against Zeki Amdouni

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Nathan Collins in action against Zeki Amdouni

ROBBIE BRADY 6

SWITZERLAND pinned him back more than he was against Belgium as he was unable to provide the width Ireland wanted. 

JOSH CULLEN 7

WON a few early balls and linked well with Jason Knight. Did nothing spectacular but always available for the pass. 

JASON KNIGHT 7 

GOT the nod to add some freshness to the midfield and brought it with energy and a lot of attacking intent. Replaced by Will Smallbone to bring more fresh legs. 

SAMMIE SZMODICS 6

SWITCHED from the left of a front three to a right and showed some nice touches but fewer opportunities to influence the game as on Saturday.

MIKEY JOHNSTON 6

REPLACED the injured Chiedozie Ogbene in the starting XI and saw plenty of the ball but forced down blind alleys by a Swiss side who had clearly done their homework about his threat.

EVAN FERGUSON 6

THE goals will come again for the teenager. Another frustrating night for the striker who put one header wide but impressed in a deeper position in the second  half.

It was another frustrating night for Evan Ferguson

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It was another frustrating night for Evan Ferguson

SUBS

WILL SMALLBONE (for Knight 57 mins) 6

MATT DOHERTY (for Omobamidele 57 mins) 6

ADAM IDAH (for Johnstone 57 mins) 6

CALLUM O’DOWDA (for Brady 79 mins) 5 

MARK SYKES (for Szmodics 79 mins) 5

FINN AZAZ (for Cullen 87 mins) 4

JOHN O’SHEA 6

SUGGESTED pre-match he may have treated the game differently were he a permanent gaffer with an eye on the future. His selection got a decent performance if not the result.