Switzerland and Ireland draw 1-1

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) -- Ireland's bid for revenge over Switzerland for its exclusion from Euro 2004 failed as the teams played out a 1-1 draw in World Cup qualifying Wednesday.

Despite an action-filled match, neither side was able to draw ahead after two goals in the first 20 minutes in the teams' Group 4 match.

The match took place in the same stadium where, less than a year ago, Switzerland stole the final Group 10 qualifying place for Euro 2004 -- at Ireland's expense -- defeating the Irish 2-0.

Clinton Morrison gave Ireland a dream start in the 8th minute, collecting a pass from Damien Duff on the left flank and heading the ball into the right-hand side of the net.

But that seemed only to fire up the Swiss. Shay Given was kept busy and only a lucky left foot kept out a shot from Alexandre Rey, who had been left alone in the penalty box.

Two minutes later, it was Hakan Yakin with a shot -- this time stopped by Given's right foot.

But the Swiss pressure finally proved too much for the Irish 'keeper. Teenager Tranquillo Barnetta, making an excellent first start for Switzerland, slipped the ball in to Yakin as he ran between two defenders, and Given could do nothing as the ball flew across the area and into the right-hand corner of the net.

It was an exciting first half with opportunities for both sides.

Ireland's best chance of restoring the lead came in the 29th minute when Morrison's header bounced off Pascal Zuberbuehler's foot, then his hand, before the Swiss 'keeper was able to get it away.

The second half saw less action and tempers flaring as both sides sought the winning goal.

Yakin nearly set St. Jakob Park alight in the 68th minute when he smashed a shot from well outside the penalty box, but Given just got his fingers to the ball, tipping it over the top.

The Swiss piled on the pressure in the closing minutes of the match, with a series of corners and free kicks, but they were unable to capitalize.

"We would have liked to have won, but we have shown in the past that we can beat them away," said Swiss defender Ludovic Magnin, referring to the Swiss victory over Ireland in Dublin during Euro 2004 qualifying.

"Now we have to go out and make up away from home for the points we've lost here."

Victory for either team would have put it clear at the top of the group. Switzerland defeated the Faeroe Islands 6-0 and Ireland beat Cyprus 3-0 in their first matches on Saturday, while group favorite France had managed only a 0-0 draw with Israel.

France defeated the Faeroes 2-0 earlier Wednesday, leaving it level on four points with Switzerland and Ireland.

Roy Keane was playing his first competitive game away from home for Ireland for 3 1/2 years after he walked out on the Irish team before the start of the World Cup in 2002.

However, he was lucky to stay on the pitch, picking up a yellow card in the first half and narrowly escaping another 10 minutes into the second half for a foul on Johan Vonlanthen.

Lineups:

Switzerland -- Pascal Zuberbuehler; Bernt Haas, Ludovic Magnin, Patrick Mueller, Murat Yakin; Johann Vogel, Ricardo Cabanas, Tranquillo Barnetta, Hakan Yakin; Alexandre Rey, Johan Vonlanthen (Johann Lonfat, 73).

Ireland -- Shay Given; Stephen Carr, Andy O'Brien, Kenny Cunningham, Steve Finnan, Andy Reid (Graham Kavanagh, 73), Roy Keane, Kevin Kilbane, Damien Duff, Clinton Morrison (Gary Doherty, 84), Robbie Keane.