Switzerland doesn’t want to be caught napping early in its World Cup match against Sweden in the round of 16. The Swiss have twice conceded the opening goal in Russia — first in their 1-1 draw with Brazil and again against Serbia — when Switzerland became the first team at this World Cup to win after going a goal down.
“We have to be ready to play really from the get-go in such a way to have the initiative on our side,” coach Vladimir Petkovic said yesterday through an interpreter. Switzerland takes on Sweden in St. Petersburg today [10 p.m., Macau time], with the winner facing a quarterfinal against either England or Colombia.
History is beckoning for the No. 6-ranked Swiss team. If it beats Sweden, Switzerland would reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1954. The country has never advanced to the final four of the tournament. Sweden’s last quarterfinal appearance was in 1994, on its way to the semifinals.
Midfielder Granit Xhaka wants to match Switzerland’s best-ever World Cup finish and then surpass it. “I hope that tomorrow is not our last match and even the next round will not be the final one for us in this tournament,” he said.
Against a Sweden team ranked No. 24 in the world, the Swiss team will be without the heart of its defense, with captain Stephan Lichtsteiner and Fabian Schaer suspended after picking up their second yellow cards of the tournament.
“Defensive play will be important tomorrow [today],” Petkovic said. He wouldn’t confirm who would replace the suspended defenders, but Michael Lang and Johan Djourou are expected to be named in the starting line-up. AP
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