Group G
Switzerland 2-1 South Korea

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Switzerland defeated South Korea 2-0 in Hanover to win Group G, as the Asian side, who were semi-finalists four years ago, were knocked out of the World Cup.

A first half goal from Philippe Senderos and a controversial second from Alexander Frei means the Swiss take on Ukraine in the second round.

Switzerland boss Jakob Kuhn made two changes to the side that beat Togo. Hakan Yakin and Christoph Spycher came in for Ludovic Magnin and the injured Daniel Gygax.

South Korea coach Dick Advocaat also made two changes from the team that drew 1-1 with France. Park Chu-young replaced for Lee Eul-yong in an attacking 4-3-3 line-up, while Kim Jin-kyu came in for Kim Young-chul in defence.

Kim Dong-jin denied Hakan Yakin early on, while Barnetta was also slow to pull the trigger and was thwarted by a marvellous covering tackle by Choi Jin-cheul.

The breakthrough occurred midway through the first half when Yakin produced a delicious curling free-kick which Senderos headed past Jae Lee-woon. The defender clashed heads with Choi and both players received treatment for cuts to the faces.

It took just until the stroke of half-time for South Korea to mount an attack worthy of the name. Jin-kyu hooked a shot over, Park Cho-young then poked an effort wide of goal and Chun-soo brought a fine stop from Zuberbuhler. At the other end, Frei missed a great chance to increase Switzerland’s lead but he headed wide from close range.

Aware that France had taken a two-goal lead against Togo in the other group game, which meant that they needed at least a draw, South Korea began to show some urgency after the break.

However, although they were forcing the pace, clear cut chances were proving hard to come by. Cho Jae-jin and Lee Ho had opportunities but they were let down by poor finishing.

A moment of controversy settled the match in Switzerland’s favour. The linesman raised his flag for offside as Frei rounded Jae-woon and rolled the ball into an empty net. On seeing the flag, the South Korean defenders stopped playing, but unknown to them, the pass to Frei had actually been made by Seol Ki-hyeon, one of their own players, and the referee was correct to let the play continue.

The win ensured Switzerland top the group, and in so doing avoid an encounter with the much-fancied Spain. A second round tie with the Ukraine awaits, and on this form, a place in the last eight is there for the taking.

Teams:
Switzerland: Zuberbuhler, Spycher, Senderos, Philipp Degen, Muller, Wicky, Vogel, Yakin, Cabanas, Barnetta, Frei.

Subs used: Djourou 53 (for Senderos), Margairaz 70 (for Yakin), Behrami 88 (for Wicky).

Bookings: Senderos 43, Yakin 55, Wicky 69, Spycher 82, Djourou 90.

South Korea: Woon-Jae Lee, Young-Pyo Lee, Choi, Jin-Kyu Kim, Dong-Jin Kim, Ho Lee, Nam-Il Kim, Ji-Sung Park, Chu-Young Park, Chun-Soo Lee, Jae-Jin Cho.

Subs used: Ahn 62 (FOR y Lee), Seol 65 (for Park).

Bookings: Park 23, Kim 37, Choi 78, C Lee 82.

Referee: Horacio Marcelo Elizondo (Argentina).

Scorers:
Switzerland: Senderos 23, Frei 77.

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