Switzerland beat Wales by one goal at Rodney Parade to remain top of Euro Under 21 group E. Paul Bodin’s side will drop to fourth in Group E.
Felix Mambimbi got the only goal of the game after 53 minutes. After an even first half Wales started the second brightly. The goal came a little against the run of play but gave the Swiss momentum and it took some time for Wales to come back into the game. Wales did push the Swiss towards the end and had a Billy Sass-Davies goal ruled out for a foul.
Wales were awarded an early free kick after Joe Adams was fouled making a run down the left. Adams took the kick and and swung the ball into the box forcing the Swiss to concede a corner. Justin Hammel claiming the resulting corer at the far post.
The visitors started to control the game as the half wore on with Wales trying to catch them on the counter. Samuel Pearson trying from the right but he was unable to find Luke Jephcott in the area.
Terry Taylor tried his luck from distance after receiving the ball from Adams. Taylor then sent his shot well side of the Swiss goal.
Felix Mambimbi went close after being played into the box by Amdouni. Taking a touch and cutting inside Mambimbi fired a shot that went just over George Ratcliffe’s goal.
Amdouni went even closer as he saw his fist time shot come back off the post. Good work down the right from Adrian Gantenbein gave him space to play the ball low into the box. Amdouni stuck the ball only to see it hit the post.
As half time approached Rieder broke behind the Welsh defence and forced a fine save from Ratcliffe. Coming in from the left Rieder fired a shot towards the near post which Ratcliffe was across quickly to stop.
Half Time: Wales 0-0 Switzerland
Wales had an early chance from Joe Adams corner. Swinging the ball into the box Adams found Jephcott with flicked the ball on for Dan Williams. He hit it on the volley but the shot was to close to Hammel who made a routine save.
Despite Wales’ bright start to the half it was Switzerland who took the lead. Dan Ndoge latching on to a long ball found himself on the edge of the box with Ratcliffe having come out to met him. Ndoge went round the welsh keeper and squared the ball to Mambimbi who scored in an empty net.
Husic blazed a shot over at the back post after a free kick. The in swinging free kick came off Brandon Cooper to allow Husic the chance but from the tight angle he could only fire over.
A poor clearance from Cooper allowed Ndoge to have a shot but it was deflected out for a corner. The corner found Nicolas Vouilloz who headed towards the bottom corner. Ratcliffe was on form to make a good save and turn the ball around the post.
Rhys Hughes sent a free kick into the box which Billy Sass-Davies sent into the top corner. But the referee did not give the goal as he believed that Sass-Davies fouled Vouilloz as he headed the ball.
Rhys Hughes tried from the edge of the area to curl the ball into the far post. The ball went just wide of Hammel’s post.
Hammel had to be sharpe to stop Hughes after the ball fell to him in the box. Fired a first time shot Hughes forced Hammel’s into a low save to keep the Swiss in front.
The Swiss were able to hold on as the Welsh side pushed for a equaliser in added time to take the win.
Full Time: Wales 0-1 Switzerland
Wales Under 21: George Ratcliffe (G), Ryan Astley, Billy Sass-Davies, Brandon Cooper (C), Daniel Williams, Samuel Pearson, Terry Taylor, Luke Jephcott (Rhys Hughes 82), Jack Vale (Isaack Davies 77), Joe Adams (Eddie Jones 73), Owen Beck.
Yellow Cards: Ryan Astley 48, Owen Beck 59, Terry Taylor 59, Jack Vale 70, Brandon Cooper 90+5,
Switzerland Under 21: Justin Hammel (G), Anel Husic, Nicolas Vouilloz, Simon Sohm (C), Alexandre Jankewitz (Gabriel Bares 76), Mohamed Amdouni (Filip Stojilkovic 7), Felix Mambimbi (Darian Males 76), Adrian Gantenbein, Dan Ndoge (Christopher Lungoyi 90+6), Jan Kronig, Fabian Rieder.
Goals: Felix Mambimbi 53′
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