TOGO 0-2 SWITZERLAND

19 June 2006

Switzerland surged to top of Group G with a convincing 2-0 win over Togo in Dortmund on Monday, 19 June which leaves the Helvetians leading the section on goal difference.

Victory was secured by goals from Alexander Frei and Tranquillo Barnetta in the 16th and 88th minute respectively, the second of which took Kobi Kuhn's side clear of Korea Republic by a single goal. All the Swiss now need is a point against Dick Advocaat's Taeguk Warriors to guarantee their place in the last 16.

Togo, though impressive in flashes, could have few complaints at surrendering all three points, and Otto Pfister's side remain without a point and anchored to the bottom of a group in which Switzerland and Korea both lead on four points from France, who have two.

The match:
2’:: Mohamed Kader found himself in a good position, but Switzerland goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbueher showed great alertness in coming off his line and clearing the ball.

5’: Switzerland’s Ricardo Cabanas fired in a shot, but it was comfortably collected by Kossi Agassa.

10’: Emmanuel Adebayor took advantage of a slip by Cabanas to steal the ball and ran powerfully into the area. However, his cross aimed for Mohamed Kader was just a little to high.

16’: Tranquillo Barnetta touched Ludovic Magnan’s cross into the path of Alex Frei who smashed the ball into the roof of the net for Switzerland’s first goal of the tournament. (0-1)

24’: Togo coach Otto Pfister who looked unhappy on the touchline in the opening stages made his first substitution of the game, bringing on Moustapha Salifou for Kuami Agboh.

35’: A slip from Philippe Senderos gave Thomas Dossevi a free shot on goal, but the Togo midfielder shot wide.

Agassa’s acrobatics:
51’: Togo goalkeeper Agassa showed his agility when he tipped over Barnetta’s shot from the edge of the area.

53’: Hakan Yakin’s swerving strike flew over the bar, much to the relief of Pfister and his charges.

62’: Salifou’s shot from distance sailed high over Switzerland’s bar.

64’: Agassa made another crucial intervention, this time from Hakan Yakin, as the midfielder saw his goalbound effort stopped.

80’: Alexander Frei hit a long looping shot from distance, which hit the top of the Togo net, much to the relief of the African team.

88’: With two minutes of normal time to go Barnetta made the game safe for the Swiss by firing a low shot past Agassa and into the far corner of the net. 0-2

90’: Togo applied pressure to Zuberbuhler’s goal, but saw the keeper save well from Salifou. From the resulting corner, Adebayor missed the target with a header.

In conclusion:
Switzerland moved to the top of Group G with this 2-0 victory. Their four-point haul from their opening two games was equal to that of Korea Republic, but Kuhn’s men moved ahead of the Asian nation on goal difference. The result also ensured that Togo cannot qualify for the Round of 16.