Swiss won't underestimate Welsh

Hitzfeld: Not taking Welsh challenge lightly

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld insists his side cannot afford to underestimate Wales.

The two sides meet in a Euro 2012 qualifier on Friday, and the Swiss are still hopeful of sealing second place and a play-off spot.

The Swiss are third in Group G but can still secure a play-off berth as they lie just three points adrift of second-placed Montenegro, who they face in their final game on Tuesday.

A win at the Liberty Stadium on Friday would move them a step closer to a place in Poland and Ukraine, and they dispatched Wales 4-1 when the sides met in Basle a year ago.

But former Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund boss Hitzfeld feels a Wales team containing the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey are more than capable of putting a dent in his side's qualification bid.

"Wales are very strong, our victory in Basle last year was not a true reflection of them," said Hitzfeld.

"Everyone talks about Gareth Bale but they have other great players like (Craig) Bellamy and Ramsey, who is playing very well for Arsenal, there is also Steve Morison in attack who is very strong and fast.

"In my opinion Wales are better attacking than defending so we must avoid letting them have too many set-pieces, as if they get free-kicks they are always a danger in the penalty area."

Impressed

But although the 62-year-old is impressed by the make-up of the Wales squad, he is expecting his side to emerge victorious tomorrow night.

"We had a very difficult start to the group, but we always believed in the team and that we would arrive in a situation where we would still have the chance to qualify for the play-offs," he said.

"We expect to be in this situation after tomorrow's game, which means we have to win as we don't want to have to rely on England beating Montenegro.

"We said we needed three wins from our final three games, we have beaten Bulgaria and we need to follow that up in this game."