Cyprus Fustrate Switzerland In Goalless Draw

[Folami David]

Switzerland missed the chance to take a commanding lead in World Cup qualifying Group E after being held to a 0-0 draw by battling Cyprus on Saturday.
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After five games, Switzerland have a two-point advantage over Albania and Iceland, who both won on Friday, and while they will remain confident of earning a place in next year's finals in Brazil the Swiss may yet regret their missed opportunities.
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Cypriots, worried by the national banking crisis engulfing the country, stayed away from the GSP stadium in their droves and failed to see their team bank a rare World Cup point, which at least took them off the bottom of the table.
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Switzerland enjoyed most possession and had more chances but Cyprus could have punished them on several counter-attacks.
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The best of those came when Dimitris Christofi's fine shot was tipped wide by diving keeper Yann Sommer in the 56th minute.
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Switzerland's influential Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri went close seven minutes later, cutting in from the right and driving a low left-foot shot just wide.
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Shaqiri created more danger in the 79th with a shot into the box that was deflected out to Valentin Stocker but he could only find the side netting.
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With Michel Pont's Swiss team pushing hard for a late winner, they left gaps at the back and Cyprus's substitute midfielder Giorgos Efrem exploited that space with a great through ball to Christofi but his attempted chip was off target.
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Switzerland grew increasingly desperate and went close twice in the final minutes when Haris Seferovic forced a save from Antonis Georgallides and then substitute Erin Derdiyok later screwed a shot wide from a promising position.
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Cyprus have four points from five games and are one spot and one point above bottom team Slovenia.

[Shola Sholaz]

Switzerland fustrated themeselves in that game. I see no reason why they should not win because they had lots of opportunities