World Cup: Hitzfeld delight at dream finish as Swiss triumph
SWITZERLAND 2 ECUADOR 1
SWITZERLAND manager Ottmar Hitzfeld last night revelled in the “dream finish” that saw substitute Haris Seferovic get his team off to a winning start in Group E.
The Swiss had not conceded a single goal from a set-piece during their World Cup qualifying campaign, but fell behind on 22 minutes when Enner Valencia headed in Walter Ayovi’s free-kick from close range.
Swiss half-time substitute Admir Mehmedi headed in Ricardo Rodriguez’s corner three minutes after his introduction. Then, in the 93rd minute, Rodriguez was again the provider for Seferovic to finish a flowing move from close range.
“It was a dream end to the game for us and is very important for the moral of the team,” he said. “It will give us some extra strength for the next two matches.”
Ecuador coach Reinaldo Rueda felt his team had been hard done by.
“Football is like that, the result wasn’t really what we deserved,” he said. “I believe a moment of naivety cost us the match.”