By Associated Press - Friday, May 30, 2014

LUCERNE, Switzerland (AP) - Josip Drmic’s emergence as Switzerland’s best source of World Cup goals continued Friday, striking late in a 1-0 warmup win over Jamaica.

The Bayer Leverkusen forward’s assured finish with the outside of his right foot in the 84th minute marked his third goal in two international friendlies this year.

Drmic, a halftime substitute, earlier shot over a gaping goal from three meters (yards). He also forced Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake into a diving save from a rising shot.

Switzerland improved after a lackluster first half, when coach Ottmar Hitzfeld started with only five players from his likely World Cup lineup.

The Swiss host Peru next Tuesday before traveling to Brazil.

Switzerland opens its Group E program against Ecuador on June 15 in Brasilia, then plays France and Honduras.

Drmic has staked a late claim to be Switzerland’s lead attacker after also scoring twice in a 2-2 draw against Croatia, another World Cup team, in March.

After Napoli teammates Gokhan Inler and Blerim Dzemaili linked well in midfield, Drmic timed his run into the penalty box, faked to shoot and moved inside to flick his shot past Blake.

Hitzfeld began with Haris Seferovic leading the line but the Real Sociedad forward rarely threatened.

Blake, the Philadelphia Union ’keeper, saved well when Swiss right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner’s cross was deflected in the 22nd, and again from the right-back’s close-range shot in the 70th.

Dzemaili and Admir Mehmedi both went close with rising shots when advancing in the inside left channel.

Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.

Click to Read More and View Comments

Click to Hide