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Ukraine, here we come!

June 24th, 2006 | By: Adrian Wagner | 35 Comments »

Alexander Frei on the way to the 2-0

Yes!!! We are through to the Round of 16 – the goal of the campaign is reached and now we can play without pressure.

First about the game yesterday: Switzerland started in attacking mood and had several good attempts. The Koreans were always dangours on counter-attacks but were to hasty with most of their attacks to really proof that much of a threat to the goal of Zuberbuehler. Then came the heroics of Philippe Senderos. Pefect timing, perfect header (the Aussie commentator compared him to Tony Adams) and total commitment. Stunning for a guy who’s only 21. Covered in blood he celebrated the important 1-0…now the Koreans would have to score twice to kick us out. But his opponent probably had more pain, after allowing Senderos to score and getting hurt as well. (It was an accident by the way. The header was absolutely clean and text-book.)

Obviously, the Koreans started to press a bit more which gave Switzerland the chance to use the open room and until abou the 40th minute the Swiss were closer to a deadly 2-0 than the Koreans to the eaqualizer. That changed in the last 7, 8 minutes, when the Koreans flung everything towards the Swiss defence and had several promissing attempts. Mueller’s insecurity didn’t help – but let us asy it: after being criticised before the WC, Zubi had an excellent match.

After the break, Korea had to risk more and did so. They proved to be the dangerous and inexhaustible oppenent they were excpected to be. Shock a bit later: Senderos has to go off the field. I think there are mentionings of a dislocated hand. Ouch. But Senderos already picked up the English toughness: even when hurt, he didn’t sit around on the pitch. He didn’t complain. Sheesh, I almost missed when he went off the pitch. The Koreans kept coming and Switzerland kept using their counter-attack skills, perfectly roled with Yakin and Barnetta, who were both exteremely strong on their positions. Frei, who had several good chances already, came very close when he hit the cross-bar. ….And I had to go and smoke a cigi…. And then the 2-0. What shall I say? There have been many complaints already. To this I have to say: go read the rules. The ball was CLEARLY deflected to Frei by the defender and therefore neutralizes the offside. The Ref Assistant raised the flag, but the Ref – as it is his job – made the decision to let the game go on. A CORRECT decision. Now, one thing I learned when I was 7 and played footbal was: you play by the whistle. Frei did. The complete Korean defence didn’t. And it’s their loss. (And just as a side-note: I find it a bit rich for Koreans to complain a correct albeit controversial decision, when your team had 5 legal goals against them disallowed in the past two World Cups.) Anyhow, Switzerland would have been through with a 1-0 as well, as would Korea have been out as well. So it didn’t really change anything anyway.

Now: the Swiss in the tournament so far. 7 points, no goal conceeded. I reckon that speaks to itself. After a shaky start against France, where our young team (the second youngest of the tournament) was nervous, they started picking up. Both, Togo and Korea was outclassed – not because we were the much better team when it comes to talent, but because of cleverness and discipline. I don’t think we have to be ‘afraid’ of the Ukraine. I reckon, it’s gonna be an open game with both teams having a shot at progressing. I’m looking forward to it.

Tags: Barnetta, Frei, Korea, Switzerland, Yakin, Zuberbuehler

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 35 comments.

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By Henning | June 24th, 2006 at 2:00 pm

Who do you reckon are going to be in the starting lineup against Ukraine?
Will Senderos be fit?

Posted from Norway

By Weltmeister | June 24th, 2006 at 2:50 pm

I celebrated OUR WELL DESERVED win together with around 100 Koreans here in Dublin/Ireland and have to say that they are very fair losers and nice people. Ball comes for a Korean, so no offside and Americans really should not talk about football (no not soccer, its called football), as they obviously are not good at it and judging by the posts above do not have a clue about it either. Tomorrow I will fly to Germany to see our next wins against Ukraine and preferably Oz or otherwise the Italians who we could have beaten a few weeks ago but they got lucky and manage a 1:1.
Senderos should be fit to play, he is an animal

Posted from Ireland

By Weltmeister | June 24th, 2006 at 2:53 pm

btw, which is THE ONLY team at this world cup that has not conceded a single goal? of course it us! HOPP SCHWIIZ!!!

Posted from Ireland

By Adrian W. | June 24th, 2006 at 2:56 pm

Haven’t really heard/read anything about it yet. I reckon they’ll decide today. But if he really dislocated his shoulder, then I seriously doubt that he’ll be fielded. Too much of a risk. Switzerland has several viable options in the back. Djourou and Beramhi (although Berahmi just came off an injury as well). Depending on Kuhn’s ideas, Magnin might come back. Spycher was the defensive option, as Magnin often makes runs on the side – leaving more room for attackers. Spycher was chosen, as it was expected that Korea would play with 3 forwards. Against the Ukraine, I reckon we’ll see one or two Ukrainian strikers, which should bring Magnin back on the pitch. Djourou for Senderos. That’s my expection. But Kuhn has so far always played completely different to the public and media’s expectation. (Per example, it was expected that the tall Streller would play against Korea. He brought Yakin instead, which paid off big time.) Who knows, maybe he comes up with a new surprise.

Posted from Australia

By Weltmeister | June 24th, 2006 at 3:06 pm

I actually was quite worried about having Spycher instead of Magnin on the field but it worked out well. Hakan is a must against Ukraine imo, hopefully behind Frei and Gygax, which would give us enough firepower. Vogel, Wicky and Berahmi in Midfiled, Cabanas out. Djourou is no Senderos yet but a still a decent sub. If Köbi goes for the 4-3-1-2, I will honor him forever, its the way forward and the world has not seen yet what we are really capable of.

Posted from Ireland

By Weltmeister | June 24th, 2006 at 3:11 pm

SENDEROS OUT OF THE WORLD CUP!:(
http://www.blick.ch/wm06/artikel39542

Posted from Ireland

By Adrian W. | June 24th, 2006 at 3:23 pm

Sorry, had to delete some messages that had nothing to do with football.

And just to mention it, even Dick Advocaat admits that the goal was probably legal and that Switzerland was at least in the first half the better team. So just get real and accept the fact!

Posted from Australia

By Kira | June 24th, 2006 at 3:54 pm

Thing is… the line ref called it an off-side… and Korean defenders saw that and stopped playing. Then when the ball went in, he put the flag down and the ref called it a goal. Even I could’ve made a goal in that situation… oh well good luck to the watch makers lol

Posted from United States

By Adrian W. | June 24th, 2006 at 4:15 pm

True, Kira. But the Koreans should know that the flag is not a call, it’s a suggestion to the Ref. In 95% of the cases, the suggestion is good and the Ref has no need to over-rule it. But it this case the Ref saw the need to overrule it. Footbal 1×1: if the whistle didn’t blow, keep running. Especially as a defender!

Posted from Australia

By Weltmeister | June 24th, 2006 at 4:28 pm

Kira, if you would have scored it then you ought to apply for the US team, they urgently need good strikers

btw you forgot that we are not only the leading country for watches, also for food (Nestle, chocolate,etc.), banks (UBS, CS, etc), pharmaceuticals and holders of the Americas Cup (without even being close to the sea, lol). gotta admit that’s not bad for a country with only 7million people (Germany has more licensed footballers than Switzerland has inhabitants)

Posted from Ireland

By matt | June 24th, 2006 at 4:48 pm

I think the swis deserved their win

but in both of their last two games they have had crucial calls go for them

togo were denied a obvious penalty in the first half of their game, and the korean team were twice denied penalties by the ref.

poor refering is slighting this world cup and that is a massive shame.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Mara1ona | June 24th, 2006 at 7:04 pm

I agree about the refs. They have been shocking. Most of the games have not been dirty yet there are loads of yellow card flying about. Whatever happened to the talking to players telling them one more and they are booked or off in some cases. Is it a language problem? Probably.

Come out of retirement Collina is what i say, he must be one of the few referees that players actually respected.

By from US | June 24th, 2006 at 10:24 pm

It was clearly stated that refree got paid by FIFA refree president to make favorable decision to Swiss to make the advance to next round. Refree had no choice but to make calls for Swiss and everybody in the world saw it live and on replay. I guess that is the ONLY way Swiss can advance to next round.
I thought Swiss was righteous country but after what president made refree to do proves Swiss is another country like IRAQ.

Posted from United States

By from US | June 24th, 2006 at 10:30 pm

It was clearly stated that refree got paid by FIFA refree president to make favorable decision to Swiss to make them advance to next round. Refree had no choice but to make calls for Swiss and everybody in the world saw it live and on replay. I guess that is the ONLY way Swiss can advance to next round.
I thought Swiss was righteous country but after what president made refree to do proves Swiss is another country like IRAQ.

Posted from United States

By Weltmeister | June 25th, 2006 at 2:07 am

haha, funny little morons. All I can is, everybody knows that Yanks aren’t particularly intelligent, so we can excuse the comment about Iraq and for the sore little irish loser, Switerzland 8 points, Ireland 2 points, out of 4 games. What are the Irish doing at the world cup? watching their gay-lic sport and drinking like idiots, LOL!

Posted from Ireland

By Mara1ona | June 25th, 2006 at 3:16 am

Quote Kevin Kim

“How could they rig a game in front of a world wide tv?”

I dunno mate, just ask the Koreans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hahahahahaha

Karma pal, ever heard of it?

By Adrian W. | June 25th, 2006 at 5:53 am

Weltmeister: just ignore them. 1. they don’t know the rules and don’t want to know the rules, 2. they don’t read the posts (I do explain why it is a legal goal, and if they disagree – they certainly can – then they should back it up with facts and not some while conspiracy theory) and 3. they are sore loosers.

Haha. The funniest one I read so far was, that the Ref had actually played for Switzerland before. Hahaha. Cracks me up!

Let’s just enjoy the fact that WE ARE THROUGH and they are not.

Posted from Australia

By serina | June 25th, 2006 at 7:10 am

look, the ref clearly was on switz side…even france reported that the ref was totaly unfair. switz did play pretty good….but so did korea. i’m not sayin that korea wouldve totaly won if it wasnt for the ref. but i’m just saying that korea couldve won if it wasnt for the ref. the ref ignored so many bs that switz did. and the rule says…even if the player kicked the ball or wutever, it still is an offside. so you go read the rull. unless fifa changed it after the match against korea. afterall..the president of fifa is from switz.

Posted from Republic Of Korea

By serina | June 25th, 2006 at 7:14 am

btw, what is fifa afraid of? why did fifa block korean ip so that ppl from korea couldnt even enter the website?? ofcourse you ppl would say anything to defend your selves…its clear that the ref made so many unclear decisions thru out the whole game not just against korea, but agaisnt france and togo.

Posted from Republic Of Korea

By Ryan | June 25th, 2006 at 12:53 pm

Koreans have clearly demonstrated that they are sore losers! Accept the loss okay??!! You didn’t play well enough to win. Korea act like children when it comes to sports. Does anybody remember the 1988 Olympics in Seoul…..research boxing in the Olympics for Korea. It will give you more insight into their bizarre world of reality. The rest of the world recognizes that Switzerland played well and deserved to win but…the little insignificant country of Korea thinks that its a conspiracy theory. Pathetic. Oh, and don’t forget Koreans….that you got some pretty favorable calls during the 2002 World Cup….REMEMBER THAT!!!!!?????

Posted from Republic Of Korea

By Weltmeister | June 25th, 2006 at 7:49 pm

I know Adrian, sorry about that. We actually should be proud that people envy us

Mark, there will be plenty of genuine Swiss supporters looking for tickets tomorrow at the stadium, so you shouldn’t have troubles to sell them. But if you have got tickets for the semis in Dortumd (Swiss or Ozzies?) I am would be more than happy to take ‘em

Posted from Ireland

By ced9 | June 26th, 2006 at 12:26 am

I am amazed at all the comments about offside and cheating and the fact that people can’t believe a small country like ours is able to play some decent football. the refs being bias come on conspiracy theories all over the place! we scored fair and square thats a fact the ball was played back from a korean player therefore the offside rule doesn’t come in to play simple as that(kevin kim get your eyes checked if the koreans wanna play the ball back to swiss players on a defensive play that is their own fault!!), the ref saw that and forced to play on and like someone said earlier “play to the whistle”. anyway people can say what they will jealously may be another part of it all!

By Andriy | June 26th, 2006 at 1:30 am

omg, i came here to see what the swiss are backtalking about Ukraine and you’re STILL in deep discussion aboot ur last game, get over it koreans, Im Ukrainian, i watched that game to study the swiss and they dominated you, im sorry

Posted from United States

By Mara1ona | June 26th, 2006 at 2:18 am

Real bad news about the big Senderos.

Still think the swiss have the quality to really suprise in this tournament. I hope they do. After watching the portugal holland match, this tournament is turning into a big flop.

The refereeing is going from pathetic to diabolical.

By yo swiss, | June 26th, 2006 at 9:58 am

Sorry but you will lose Ukraine by 2-O.
Better luck next time.

Posted from New Zealand