After a 2-0 Switzerland win in the first leg of this European zone World Cup 2006 Playoffs, things don't look so good for the Turkish team. Fatih Terim's players will have to win by three clear goals against the Switzerland players in order to qualify.

Switzerland are not an easy team to beat as they have solid defence and are strong in the midfield. The Turks are well aware of the situation and the return from suspension of Emre and Hamit has increased hopes of a good result. Fatih Terim told reporters at a press conference earlier on that although his team did not play good football in the first leg, he is confident that his team will get the score they require to qualify.

"The belief I have in my players is absolute. Important victories will always be a bit painful. I have been through many games like this. Hopefully, it will be like the victorious ones I had. I have no doubt that it will" Terim said.

The whistling and noise the Swiss fans did while the Turkish anthem was being played before the first leg kickoff, has increased tensions between the two countries fans even though this is how the Turks treat nearly every opponent in Istanbul. Switzerland players were greeted with anger upon arrival in Turkey yesterday. Turkey's Football Federation (TFF) complained to FIFA officials about the incident and that Swiss security officials had shouted at Turkey's players on their way to the dressing room after the end of the match.

"The actions towards our national squad before the kickoff had a very negative impact on the match atmosphere. We in the TFF condemn these actions."

Turkish television reported that there was a 2 hour delay at the airport for the Swiss team, as the Turkish authorities thoroughly inspected the members of the team for narcotics, in a move criticised by many as provocative.

The TFF called on Turkey's supporters not to cause trouble at the return leg in Fenerbahce's Sukru Saracoglu stadium tonight despite what happened in Switzerland. "The best way of responding to the bad treatment is on the pitch against our opponents. We ask our 42,000 fans who will fill Sukru Saracoglu stadium to cheer as loudly as possible but to avoid any behaviour which would incur punishment" it said.

Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey has written to her Turkish counterpart expressing her shock and concern about the treatment of the Swiss team upon their arrival in Istanbul. "This sort of behaviour is unacceptable," said Calmy-Rey.

The TFF has expressed regret over the incidents and even dispatched a bunch of flowers to Switzerland coach Kobi Kuhn by way of an apology. But it had earlier laid the blame for the hostile reception firmly with the Swiss fans and authorities.

The Switzerland Football Association (SFA) said the war of words is over and players have been given assurances that adequate security arrangements are in place for the match in Istanbul's Sukru Saracoglu stadium. "We are working on the assumption that security will be maintained inside the stadium" Pierre Benoit, a spokesman for the SFA told Swiss television.

Around 3,600 police are deployed to maintain order and calm before, during and after the match. "Some 2,000 officers will be in position around the stadium and 1,600 will be inside," said Istanbul police chief constable Celallettin Cerrah. The Swiss authorities say they have full confidence in the Turkish authorities and have not issued any travel warnings to fans planning to attend the match.

"We have no reason to doubt that the authorities will be able to guarantee security. We are following the situation on the ground, but as is usual with events of this kind it is the authorities who are responsible for security arrangements. We are not giving any special advice to Swiss football fans, but of course they must respect the laws and rules of the country they are visiting" foreign-ministry spokesman Jean-Philippe Jeannerat told reporters in Switzerland.

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