England's rivals draw

Outsiders Croatia and Switzerland played out a tense goalless draw in Leiria in the first game of UEFA EURO 2004™ Group B.

Second booking
In a fiercely contested encounter, Croatia had the technical edge, but were thwarted by a determined, solid effort from the battling Swiss, who spent the majority of the second period with ten men after Johann Vogel was dismissed for a second bookable offence five minutes after half-time.

Full strength
Switzerland coach Jakob Kuhn was able to field a full-strength lineup with midfield anchor Vogel recovered from a thigh injury, while Croatia were without goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa, who is out of the tournament with a torn thigh muscle. Tomislav Butina deputised and Tomislav Šokota partnered the dangerous Dado Pršo up front.

Early running
Croatia made the early running in a frenetic opening, and Nenad Bjelica had an early chance with a free-kick, but his curling effort went straight into the arms of Swiss keeper Jörg Stiel. Tackles flew in thick and fast and Vogel was cautioned for a trip on Šokota as Croatia moved forward with pace and purpose, Ivica Mornar heading a corner just wide.

Frei effort
The Swiss finally broke out to create a first chance of their own soon afterwards, Butina beating out a fierce angled drive from Alexander Frei and there were gradual signs that Kuhn's men were warming to their task. Full-back Bernt Haas then sent a header past the post from Hakan Yakin's inswinging corner.

Struggle for control
Back came Croatia for Pršo to swivel and shoot into Stiel's arms, and Šokota shot well wide as both sides struggled to establish a grip on the game in the heat. With neither team wanting to lose with tough group assignments against England and holders France ahead, space and time on the ball was at a premium, but Croatia went desperately close to an opener after 36 minutes when Niko Kovac headed narrowly over the bar from a corner.

Double chance
Stiel then made a fine reflex save to claw out Josip Šimunic's free header as Switzerland's offside trap failed from a free-kick, Ivica Olic heading the rebound on to the crossbar and over. Niko Kovac then shot just too high as Croatia ended the first 45 minutes on top.

Second yellow
Croatia coach Otto Baric made a half-time substitution, Milan Rapaic replacing Olic on the left of midfield. The second half began disastrously for the Swiss, who were reduced to ten men almost immediately when Vogel was shown the red card for his second bookable offence – a midfield trip on Šokota.

Tactical reorganisation
Kuhn then brought on Fabio Celestini for Stéphane Chapuisat to reinforced the Swiss midfield, while Baric introduced Darijo Srna for Šimunic to give the Croatians greater width on the right.

Croatian control
The pattern of play was changed by Vogel's dismissal and Croatia began enjoying the bulk of possession. However, the Swiss continued to battle gamely despite the numerical disadvantage, and Butina saved a Hakan Yakin free-kick. At the other end, Šokota shot over as the game continued to ebb and flow.

Solid Swiss
Baric was eager to exploit his team's extra man, making another substitution by bringing on central midfield player Dovani Roso for Bjelica, but Switzerland were still holding firm and Hakan Yakin sent a 30-metre free-kick over.

Huggel denied
It was the Swiss who came desperately close to breaking the deadlock in the final stages as Benjamin Huggel's long-range drive was fumbled away for a corner by Butina. Ultimately, however, both sides had to settle for a single point.

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