The 100th Swiss Cup has so far brought no luck to the lower-ranking teams. At the start of the second main round, GC did not put up a fight against Challenge League leaders Thun, Sion and Yverdon.
At least in the Cup, the Grasshoppers are occasionally able to enjoy a sense of achievement. The Zurich side, who are third from bottom in the championship with just one win from six games, mastered the tricky task at FC Thun in a lacklustre but efficient manner. The Bernese Oberlanders dominated the game for the most part, but were unable to score anything worthwhile. The decisive goal was scored by German GC newcomer Sonny Kittel after just over half an hour.
Thun initially did a lot to avenge their narrow defeat in the barrage for promotion against GC. After just three minutes, Tresor Samba failed to beat Zurich goalkeeper Justin Hammel from close range. However, this was to remain the best chance. At the other end, the first shot on goal hit the back of Thun goalkeeper Nino Ziswiler. Kittel took advantage of a long, high cross from the Swede Noah Persson in his first appearance for GC with an impressive direct shot.
GC then held on to their lead. Eight minutes before the end, Nikolas Muci made it 2-0 after a counter-attack and took the tension out of the game. The result was the first defeat in the eighth serious match of the season for Thun, who were too harmless in attack.
FC Sion did not show any weakness either. At Zurich's Juchhof, Frenchman Théo Bouchlarhem (27) and Kevin Bua (56) scored from the penalty spot to secure a fitting 2-0 win at first division side YF Juventus.
Yverdon-Sport, who got off to a similarly poor start in the Super League as GC, experienced a horror start in Emmen. Defender Marc Koch scored in the 3rd minute for the interregional second division club. However, Mitchy Ntelo and Hugo Komano turned the tide for the Vaud side before the break.
Telegrams:
Thun (ChL) - Grasshoppers 0:2 (0:1). - SR Wolfensberger. - Goals: 34. Kittel 0:1. 83. Muci 0:2.
Emmen (2nd int.) - Yverdon 1:2 (1:2). SR Schärli. - Goals: 3 Koch 1:0. 10 Ntelo 1:1. 36 Komano 1:2.
YF Juventus (1st) - Sion 0:2 (0:1). - SR Von Mandach. - Goals: 27 Bouchlarhem 0:1. 56 Bua (penalty) 0:2.
Monthey (1st) - Etoile Carouge (ChL) 0:2 (0:2). SR Sanli. - Goals: 28 Ferrier 0:1. 44 Correia 0:2.
SDA
