The result, combined with France’s 2-0 win over Togo, leaves Dick Advocaat’s Taeguk Warriors facing an earlier-than-expected journey home, while the Swiss march on to a Round of 16 clash with Group H runners-up Ukraine in Cologne on 26 June.
Korea Republic may, however, consider themselves unfortunate having contributed significantly to this competitive and entertaining encounter, although the Swiss did create the game’s better chances and were more clinical in front of goal, with Frei in particular a constant threat.
Kuhn’s side finish on the summit of Group G with seven points, followed by France on five, Korea Republic on four, with Togolese, who go home without a point to their name but with pride intact, in fourth position.
3’:With the ground a virtual sea of red, the supporters hardly had a chance to take their seats before the Koreans almost converted on their first chance. After a brilliant bit of approach work up the left, Lee Chun-Soo whipped in a dangerous cross which Cho Jae-Jin – despite his best stretching efforts – just failed to reach on the Swiss doorstep.
23’: After FC Seoul striker Park Chu-Young was booked for a silly foul, Hakan Yakin delivered an inch-perfect cross from the resulting free kick. Arsenal’s towering centre-back Senderos made no mistake in thumping his towering header into the back of the net either. Amid the celebrations, the gritty young scorer hardly seemed to notice the streams of blood pouring down his face after colliding in mid-air with Choi Jin-Cheul. (1-0)
40’: In a similar scene, Kim Jin-Kyu received a yellow card for a rash challenge in midfield. The resulting free kick nearly unlocked the Korean defence again once again as this time Yakin went straight for goal from 25 yards and was only denied by a diving Lee Woon-Jae.
45+: Lee Chun-Soo had a great chance to equalise as the half wound to a close, but his vicious
strike from 20 yards was palmed away by the diving Pascal Zuberbuehler to a groan from the Korean support.
64’: However, the first attack after the Korean striker entered the pitch came at the other end when Frei got on the end of a lightning-quick counter-attack and slammed a screamer off the upright.
The win sees Switzerland through to the Round of 16 for the first time since 1994, where they will face a tough test against Ukraine. Brave Korea and their wonderful fans will sadly be heading for home as France’s win in the other group match against Togo sees Raymond Domenech's side through to the knockout stages as runners-up. They will square off against high-flying Spain.
(Source: FIFA)
