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Associated Press
- November 29, 2022 21:49
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Switzerland's defeat made the upcoming World Cup match even more attractive. And very hot too.
Since the schedule of matches was published in April, the Group G duel between Switzerland and Serbia has been one to highlight. Not just because of the talented players on both teams, but because of the political tensions they brought to the pitch when they met at the last World Cup.
Four years ago in Russia, Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka celebrated his goal against Serbia by doing the eagle with his hands. The figure is considered to be an Albanian symbol. Xherdan Shaqiri added another goal in the last minute of the match and did the same with his hands as Switzerland won 2:1.
Xhaka and Shaqiri have Albanian heritage and family ties to Kosovo. They were teenagers growing up in Switzerland when Kosovo declared independence. Both players were fined by FIFA during the tournament in Russia and the Government of Albania opened bank accounts for people to contribute to the payment of the fines of 10.000 Swiss francs.
On Friday, only one of the two teams will be able to advance to the 1/8 finals in Qatar. Brazil, who beat the Swiss 1-0 on Monday and beat Serbia 2-0 last Thursday, have already secured progression from the group stage.
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Other confrontations of Xhaka and Shaqiri with Serbia
Switzerland will likely only need a draw at Stadium 974 and Shaqiri is expected to be available to play after being ruled out against Brazil with a muscle problem. Xhaka, now 30 and a mature leader for his country, brushed aside the controversial match four years ago.
"There is no story behind these two games," said the Arsenal midfielder. "We are Switzerland, they are Serbia, that's it. We are here to play football. They and us".
The delegation of Serbia has already made politics towards Kosovo an issue. In the dressing room of Serbia before the opening match against Brazil, a flag with the territory of Kosovo and the slogan "No surrender" appeared. FIFA has already opened disciplinary proceedings against the Serbian Football Federation on Saturday.
The Football Federation of Kosovo officially complained to FIFA after the photo circulated.
The Swiss advanced to the 1/8 finals in 2018 after drawing with Costa Rica in the last group game, while the Serbians were eliminated after losing to Brazil. This time the teams are facing each other in the last group match.
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Eyes on Xhaka and Shaqiri for the match that is expected with great interest
Switzerland has three points, two more than Serbia, who recorded a loss and a draw in the first two games.
"Of course, history is history," said Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who also played against Serbia four years ago in Kaliningrad. "But at this moment it will be the match that is important. We know this game already. We had it in Russia."
