Match Review: Hibernians FC vs Swiss FC

• DF Joe Poulton
• DF Nick Edwards
• ST Daniel Martin
• -- Heljar Havnes
• -- Shazri Sofi
• -- Thorin Duffin
• -- An-Rui Chiew
• -- Tom Hawker
• -- Andrew Talbot
• -- Paul Gill
• -- Mark O'Halloran

• -- Farhan Mahmood
• -- Danny Vale
• -- Guillaume Ridoux

Deserved Maiden Win

The Swiss notched their first win of the season in comprehensive fashion against a Hibs side that just didn’t get going. Hibs have a history of letting the bottom side take maximum points as the Swiss won both games last season and they took the lead with their first shot at the near post and doubled their lead when Hibs allowed their man of the match midfielder to bear down on Tommy and score. It was a sign of how short we were that Dan was risked and then predictably lost through injury as he fired a shot just wide and nearly rounded the keeper. Hibs were nearly one-on-one through Thorin, but he was hauled down and that saw the Swiss down to 10 for the last hour or so. Thorin lifted a shot over, but Hibs needed to improve significantly to make the advantage count. Hibs made two changes and knocked the ball about but the Swiss were calm and measured and were not really unsettled. Hibs had chances with Farhan, Thorin and Talbot making the keeper work, but there was a lack of conviction and quality in the final third that has summed up our season to date. Hibs lost a runner to concede a third with 25 to go and with our last sub leaving his teammates in the lurch by leaving at HT, Hibs were carrying people and were toothless even in great positions. Well done to the Swiss who were great in all departments and Hibs will hope the Easter break sees some people return to the squad. MoM Shaz

• Nice De Mello DF
• Laurent Brutsch DF
• Cyrill Binder DF
• Hamza Ben Naceur Gharfane MD
• Gabriel Nuessli --
• Ivan Gomez --
• Gordon Cyr --
• Joe Giani --
• Sebastian Kendrick --
• Heinz Braegger --
• Lennart von der Luhe --

• Muhammad Fadhil DF
• Paul Le Helloco MD
• Urs Brutsch --

Finally (part 2) - against the odds

Swiss came into this game on the back of the first point against Nippon last week. The target was clear: 3 points. The mission was completed, but against all odds. Two dropouts on match day shaved the squad to 14, with two players known to arrive late made it easy for the coach to settle on the starting 11. It was clear from the start that the Swiss were confident and they played the ball around nicely. On 7 minutes the Swiss take a corner kick short and some nice passing involving Laurent and Nicolas before the ball gets to Gabriel, who drills the ball low into the back of the net. Midway through the first half and disaster strikes twice: first, Ivan is given his marching orders for wrestling down the striker who was on his way to goal. No issue with this decision. And GK Joe had to go to hospital after a needless tackle. Hibs player: “it is just a scratch and the GK is a pussy”. Turns out the scratch is a deep open wound (to the bone!) and the pussy got 12 stitches. Get well Joe! (And a big thank you to the referees for allowing time to attend to Joe by our very own Fadhil!) But the adversity seemed to lift the Swiss and shortly before the break Gabi doubled the lead. The second half was all about managing the game - and that is exactly what we did. We never allowed Hibs to put any real pressure on stand-in GK Nicolas. And whatever came his way he handled very well. When Hamza scored on 69 minutes after a great one-two with Paul it was all over. Swiss never looked like this could slip away from them. Great performance, and an even better attitude. Well done!