Swiss roll on to second round
Swiss roll on to second round
Also In The News
|
Brazil's Ronaldo has answered his critics with a brace of goals to equal German legend Gerd Muller's World Cup record of 14 goals in his fourth tournament. |  |
Friday, 23, Jun 2006 11:02
Switzerland found a way past a brave South Korean outfit, sealing a 2-0 win and a place in the second round of the World Cup.
The result leaves South Korea in third place in the final group table and sends the 2002 semi-finalists home, but only after endearing themselves to the footballing world once again.
Despite facing a strong Swiss side and needing some help from Togo against France to guarantee their safe passage to the next round, the South Korean fans were in particularly good voice.
In the first ever meeting between the two teams, both sides started well. Alexander Frei looked particularly sharp for the Swiss, despite plowing a lone furrow up front.
The vocal South Korean fans made sure that every half-chance for their side sounded like a guilt-edged opening but for any neutrals present there was little to cheer until 22 minutes in.
A Hakan Yakin free-kick from the right was met by the head of Arsenal centre-back Philippe Senderos, who put his head where some would fear to put their boot and powered a header into the net.
At one-nil up, Switzerland continued to press - Yakin’s set-pieces causing panic in the South Korean defence on more than one occasion as the Swiss side looked to drive home their advantage.
Despite the Europeans dominance, the South Koreans were not without their own efforts on goal. Manchester United midfielder Ji-Sung Park came closest with a stinging drive from distance that was saved by Pascal Zuberbuhler.
As the second half started, the South Koreans stepped up the tempo and pegged back the Swiss, who seemed happy enough to defend their single goal advantage and hit on the break.
After Jin-Chul Choi and Jung-Hwan Ahn had both gone close it was a controversial goal that confirmed the result. Frei, having struck the woodwork with an earlier effort, was put through on goal and rounded the keeper to slot home the second.
Despite protestations from the South Koreans when the flag was raised indicating an offside, the referee Horacio Marcelo Elizondo allowed the goal to stand and Switzerland were confirmed as group winners.
They will face Ukraine in the next round while South Korea lose out to France for the runners up spot.