By sportswriter Wang Chunyan
BEIJING, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Switzerland fans have waited a long time to see their expectations exceeded at a major tournament. And while the team appears good enough on paper to progress to the knockout stages in Russia, a tough draw makes that a trickier prospect than it might have been.
Now into his fourth year at the helm, coach Vladimir Petkovic can call upon several talented players in the peak of their careers, though their group contains the likes of favorites Brazil, rising stars Serbia, and 2014 quarterfinalists Costa Rica. Things are unlikely to get easier for Switzerland if they do manage to negotiate their way out of the group stage, with defending champions Germany potentially lying in wait in the next stage of the competition.
Despite only ending up in Russia via the playoffs, Switzerland's qualifying campaign was fairly convincing, winning eight games and only losing out to Portugal for the automatic qualifying spot by virtue of an inferior goal difference.
Over the last two decades Switzerland have relied on compact and disciplined performances to qualify for major tournaments. However, Petkovic has strived to instill a more attacking, possession-based style of play and the progress made in this regard has been clearly evident.
"We've grown a lot as a team," noted the coach. "We can act but we can also react during a game," Former Switzerland captain Ciriaco Sforza agreed, noting that the 2018 squad had the makings of "a great team."
In the 1990s Switzerland were content simply to qualify for tournaments. But expectations have been raised thanks to a fourth successive finals appearance, beating eventual champions Spain in 2010 and only narrowly losing to Argentina in Brazil four years ago.
"Compared to five or six years ago our quality is different now," said Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka. "All of our players are first-team regulars at top clubs.
Just like their neighbors Germany, Switzerland are now famed for producing goalkeepers. Yann Sommer and Roman Burki are both first-choice custodians at Bundesliga clubs, although the former is Petkovic's consistent first-choice pick, impressing with consistently superb displays.
Up front, Switzerland will be relying on the creative style of 26-year-old Xherdan Shaqiri, who will look to use Russia to put himself in the shop window as he seeks to move on from relegated Stoke City.
Meanwhile, talented youngster Breel Embolo has had two injury-hit seasons in the Bundesliga, but still looks the best option for the main striking role.
"We want to get to the quarterfinals," said Petkovic. "That would be the next big step for us. I know that our fans have that hope and expectation. So does the team and so do I."
