This Day (Lagos)
Olawale Ajimotokan
3 November 2009
Lagos — Coach of Switzerland U-17 national team Dany Ryser, declared last night that today's battle of Lagos against Germany in the FIFA U-17 World Cup round of 16 will be an explosive clash. Ryser's young Swiss side has been one of the talking points of Nigeria 2009 after finishing the last phase as one of only two sides with 100 per cent results.
The Swiss are also among the favourites to win the tournament though this is their first appearance in a FIFA U-17 World Cup finals.
Ryser did not mince word by liking the clash against Germany to a " rivalry" after the team's evening work out at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
" Yes, there is a rivalry between Switzerland and Germany. But it is only in the context of sports. Our desire is to take the rivalry to the next level tomorrow. Again you know there is a lot to play for because the Germans are the European champions. That will motivate us" Ryser said.
He also said that the team was glad to return to Lagos which is like a second home to them after they traveled out to Abuja for the Group B fixture against Brazil.
Germany, coached by Marco Pezzaiouli won the European U-17 Championship in convincing manner in May by scoring 13 goals and conceding only two.
Despite struggling to emerge from a tough Group A in Abuja, the Germans' reputation as one of the teams to beat at Nigeria 2009 is not in doubt. In all their three matches in Abuja the Germans predatory instinct was at display by virtue of the seven goals they have scored. While in agreement, Ryser declared he had the defenders to put the Germans in check.
"It is true they have good strikers, but that will not be a problem for us because we equally have the defenders to keep them at bay"
In captain Frederic Veseli, the Swiss have a rock solid central defender and one of the best players at Nigeria 2009.
Veseli along side the full backs, Andre Goncalves and Janiek Kamber provide the cover for goalkeeper Benjamim Siegrist.
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