Switzerland ensured their place at the top of Group G with a 2-0 win over South Korea in Hanover.
After holding France to a draw and defeating Togo in their previous two games the win was enough to set up a meeting with the Ukraine in the second round and also gave them hope of advancing to the next round after keeping a third clean sheet in a row.
Sadly for 2002 semi finalists Korea it means the end of the road for them and their spirited supporters, despite a win against Togo and a battling draw against France, Les Blues victory over Togo was enough to send them through having not lost a game.
The game was embedded in controversy as the Swiss second goal came after the referee over ruled the linesman’s offside flag allowing Alexander Frei to break through and score. This was only after an impressive goal from Senderos had given his country the lead in the first half.
The games tempo was high from the start with the Swiss looking to gain more than the point they needed to ensure qualification and the crowd were treated to some excellent action despite the first major chance not materializing until more than half way through the first half. It did however lead to the first Swiss goal as Senderos made his way onto a brilliant cross from Yakin to bravely head home.
The Swiss defender was committed to getting the ball and suffered a bloodied nose after heading the defender was well as the ball on his way to powerfully nodding into the net. Switzerland, in a position of some strength then began to sit back and the game had a lull period whilst Korea tried to break down the excellent European defense. However it was the Swiss who once again had the chances as Yakin struck just wide following a defensive error just on half time and from the result corner Senderos again went close with a header this time however his effort was just over the cross bar.
Just before half time Korea created their first real opportunity of the game when Chun Soo’s long range effort was tipped round the post by the goalkeeper for a corner. The low shot bounced just in front of the stopper and it took excellent reactions to tip the ball round the post rather than back out to an on rushing attacker.
Right on the 45 minute mark Chun Soo was unlucky once more as his shot from the edge of the area was against palmed round the post by the keeper. His ferocious strike after being played through by Ahn was enough to force Zuberbuhler into a full stretch save to protect the lead his side had worked so hard for.
The second half began with the Swiss piling on the pressure looking for the second whilst Korea left spaces at the back as they began the hunt for a way back into the game. Both sides were wasteful in possession and the game lost its flow somewhat until Frei was released through on goal before striking a shot into the cross bar with the keeper well beaten.
Despite the narrow angle of the drive Frei’s shot looked to the arrowing towards the top corner, unluckily for him it hit the upright and bounced to safety.
Two minutes later Korea were unlucky not to draw level as an excellent corner from Chun Soo was crossed into the path of Ahn who’s leaping header was equaled by a tip over the bar from the Swiss keeper. The hero of their 2002 campaign was unlucky as his header into the ground had little power but was almost crafty enough to deceive the keeper.
Despite all their pressure however Korea could do little as Frei, believed to be onside by the referee rounded the keeper before netting from a tight angle to give his side a 2-0 lead and a winners berth into the second round of the World Cup. The Basle striker was incredibly cool despite the lingering silence and lack of marking which was reserved to him but like all good strikers he finished the ball into the back of the net before celebrating a famous victory for his country.
Korea however did continue to press for a goal to restore some pride but their hard luck story continued as Zubuhaler once more forced the ball over the bar after an excellent shot from Kim. The defender was teed off from close range but a deflection allowed the keeper a small time to react and it his outstretched hand which prevented the ball from finding it’s way into the net.
The game ebbed away from Korea and in the end they had to settle for the four points they had gained in their previous two matches, Switzerland however had the prospect of a second round game to look forward to and wished hopefully to keep their defensive record in tact.
After holding France to a draw and defeating Togo in their previous two games the win was enough to set up a meeting with the Ukraine in the second round and also gave them hope of advancing to the next round after keeping a third clean sheet in a row.
Sadly for 2002 semi finalists Korea it means the end of the road for them and their spirited supporters, despite a win against Togo and a battling draw against France, Les Blues victory over Togo was enough to send them through having not lost a game.
The game was embedded in controversy as the Swiss second goal came after the referee over ruled the linesman’s offside flag allowing Alexander Frei to break through and score. This was only after an impressive goal from Senderos had given his country the lead in the first half.
The games tempo was high from the start with the Swiss looking to gain more than the point they needed to ensure qualification and the crowd were treated to some excellent action despite the first major chance not materializing until more than half way through the first half. It did however lead to the first Swiss goal as Senderos made his way onto a brilliant cross from Yakin to bravely head home.
The Swiss defender was committed to getting the ball and suffered a bloodied nose after heading the defender was well as the ball on his way to powerfully nodding into the net. Switzerland, in a position of some strength then began to sit back and the game had a lull period whilst Korea tried to break down the excellent European defense. However it was the Swiss who once again had the chances as Yakin struck just wide following a defensive error just on half time and from the result corner Senderos again went close with a header this time however his effort was just over the cross bar.
Just before half time Korea created their first real opportunity of the game when Chun Soo’s long range effort was tipped round the post by the goalkeeper for a corner. The low shot bounced just in front of the stopper and it took excellent reactions to tip the ball round the post rather than back out to an on rushing attacker.
Right on the 45 minute mark Chun Soo was unlucky once more as his shot from the edge of the area was against palmed round the post by the keeper. His ferocious strike after being played through by Ahn was enough to force Zuberbuhler into a full stretch save to protect the lead his side had worked so hard for.
The second half began with the Swiss piling on the pressure looking for the second whilst Korea left spaces at the back as they began the hunt for a way back into the game. Both sides were wasteful in possession and the game lost its flow somewhat until Frei was released through on goal before striking a shot into the cross bar with the keeper well beaten.
Despite the narrow angle of the drive Frei’s shot looked to the arrowing towards the top corner, unluckily for him it hit the upright and bounced to safety.
Two minutes later Korea were unlucky not to draw level as an excellent corner from Chun Soo was crossed into the path of Ahn who’s leaping header was equaled by a tip over the bar from the Swiss keeper. The hero of their 2002 campaign was unlucky as his header into the ground had little power but was almost crafty enough to deceive the keeper.
Despite all their pressure however Korea could do little as Frei, believed to be onside by the referee rounded the keeper before netting from a tight angle to give his side a 2-0 lead and a winners berth into the second round of the World Cup. The Basle striker was incredibly cool despite the lingering silence and lack of marking which was reserved to him but like all good strikers he finished the ball into the back of the net before celebrating a famous victory for his country.
Korea however did continue to press for a goal to restore some pride but their hard luck story continued as Zubuhaler once more forced the ball over the bar after an excellent shot from Kim. The defender was teed off from close range but a deflection allowed the keeper a small time to react and it his outstretched hand which prevented the ball from finding it’s way into the net.
The game ebbed away from Korea and in the end they had to settle for the four points they had gained in their previous two matches, Switzerland however had the prospect of a second round game to look forward to and wished hopefully to keep their defensive record in tact.