Live Ticker: Togo 0 : 2 Switzerland
June 19, 2006Advertisement
The next match on DW-WORLD.DE's Live Ticker
Togo take on Switzerland in a Group G game which could be important for both sides. After France drew 1-1 with South Korea, the group is wide open. A win for the Swiss will put them joint top; a win for Togo will put them second, a draw will leave both teams and France sweating on the final game in the group.
Injuries and cards deplete teams
Switzerland will have to make do without groin-injury victim Valon Behrami with Daniel Gygax teaming up with Alexander Frei in attack instead of Marco Streller. Togo are without captain Juan-Pual Abalo who is suspended after a red card against South Korea. They have already lost Ludovic Assemoassa for the rest of a the finals with a knee ligament injury.
The teams enter the stadium
There is an overwhelming vision of red and white at the Westfalenstadion as the Swiss supporters attempt to turn the 66,000 capacity ground into a home game for their team. There is a strong and loud pocket of Togoan resistance though and the Africans will more than make up for their dearth in numbers by making as much noise as possible.
1. min.
Togo gets the game underway
Togo kick-off this potentially enthralling match. The Swiss can top Group G if they win today but Togo will be looking to sneak into the second qualification place at the expense of Switzerland.
1. min.
Togo gave South Korea an early scare and will want to muscle their way to a quick lead against the disciplined Swiss. Philipe Senderos sends a weak back pass to goalie Zuberbühler but Manu Adebayor is not as fast as the keeper.
3. min.
Ricardo Cabanas picks up the loose ball on the edge of the area and has the first shot on goal for the Swiss. Agassa saves easily but it was a good chance.
4. min.
Again the Swiss aim to build a move along the penalty box and set up a shot from distance as the Togo defenders back track This time Frei blasts over.
5. min.
Mohamed Kader has Togo's first sniff of goal after a great knock-on by Adebayor. The striker wriggles past Senderos and homes in on goal but Zuberbühler smothers the ball at his feet.
7. min.
Cabanas sends in a curling cross from deep in the midfield and Alex Frei heads well but Agassa saves comfortably. Assimou Toure at right back, out jumped by Frei, is having a torrid first few minutes for Togo.
9. min.
Cabanas is robbed by Adebayor and the leggy striker strides away, heading away from goal on the diagonal. With the outside of his left foot, he produces a great flicked cross which just evades Kader a meter out.
10. min.
Frei attacks Toure again and the Togo right back concedes a corner.
11. min.
The short corner back fires and the Togo midfield pick up the loose ball and advance upfield.
12. min.
The Swiss are playing some nice one-touch passes across the face of the penalty area but they're lacking a killer final pass. The attack earns another corner though.
13. min.
Agassa punches the ball away but the Swiss maintain possession. The ball comes in from Magnin but Frei is offside.
15. min.
GOAL SWITZERLAND
16. min.
Frei knocks in the final ball after a great move!
Magnin sends a great, deep cross over and Barnetta knocks the ball into Frei a meter out who volleys unchallenged past Agassa.
18. min.
Switzerland's left-back Magnin is proving to be the fulcrum of every Swiss attack. His crossing is dangerous and precise. The Togo defenders are being pulled out of shape by the swapping of positions by Frei and Gygax up front. Togo have to get a grip or they face conceding more.
20. min.
Cabanas gets through the defense again on a Magnin cross but as he tries to chip the keeper from two meters out the whistle goes for offside.
22. min.
Mamam fires in a speculative cross for Adebayor but the ball is far too near Zuberbühler.
23. min.
Philippe Senderos is being a bit too casual in the heart of the Swiss defense. That is the fourth time he has been caught with the ball by nippy Togo attacker Kader. Luckily there is no real danger this time.
26. min.
Adebayor somehow manages to keep the ball in play and races off down the right flank this time but his cross has no target and the Swiss mop up with ease.
28. min.
For all their speed, strength and industry, Togo are rarely threatening. They look by far the fitter of the two teams but their running is often wild with little idea of what to do with the ball. Great to watch at times but frustrating!
30. min.
Best chance for Togo!
Adebayor plays a great reverse ball down the left flank for the overlap run of Romao. He crosses at speed; Senderos air-kicks and the ball falls to Kader at the far post but his first time shot zips just wide of the goal.
32. min.
Adebayor tries a curling shot from distance but the ball has no pace and Zuberbühler's almost ironically dramatic save causes a section of the crowd to jeer.
35. min.
Penalty appeals from Togo
Adebayor has a good case for a penalty turned down. He evaded the first tackle but Muller left his leg in and tripped the striker in the box as he tried to advance. Carlos Amarilla the referee waves play on.
36. min.
After much praise, Ludovic Magnin makes a horrendous mistake which lets in Adebayor on the right. He steams into the box unchallenged and crosses short to Kader with the goal at his mercy. Muller then Senderos get stuck in and chaos ensues, ending with a wild clearance.
40. min.
Mamam runs at the goal with purpose from his defensive midfield position and unleashes a great shot from 30 meters out. The ball curls at the last moment but Zuberbühler claims it confidently.
42. min.
Switzerland have lost the impetus they had in the first 25 minutes and have been pushed back by the maverick Togo attackers.
44. min.
Togo's Salifou gets the first card
45. min.
Half-time: Togo still chase the Swiss lead
45. min.
Second-half: Switzerland gets the game restarted
The Swiss begin defending their narrow 1-0 lead over Togo.
45. min.
Daniel Gygax is off; Hakan Yakin is on
47. min.
Manu Adebayor gets the first card of the half
Adebayor climbs all over his Arsenal team-mate Senderos and gets a yellow card for his troubles.
47. min.
Barnetta has a great chance on goal. He takes the pass into the box on his knee and turns in one movement, volleying a curling effort at goal. Agassa acrobatically saves.
50. min.
Romao gets the next card for Togo
That's one way of stopping an attack. Romao scythes down Wicky in full flight to get a ayellow card.
52. min.
Hakan Yakin picks up the ball just outside the Togo box, takes two steps and unleashes a blaster which just misses the angle of post and bar.
56. min.
Open goal missed by Alex Frei
Alex Frei is clipped in and the Togo defenders remain static as he hits the ball over the bar from a meter out!
61. min.
The second-half is shaping up in much the same way as the first at this stage. Switzerland have had the best chances and Togo are lacking ideas. If it goes the same way as the first, the Swiss can expect a tough finish.
63. min.
Yakin has another great chance
Frei plays in Hakan Yakin on the edge of the area and Yakin hits another scorcher at Agassa who beats the ball away.
68. min.
Togo are now starting to get players up in numbers as the match enters the last 22 minutes of normal play.
68. min.
Semaya comes on for Dossevi
71. min.
The Swiss are reduced to sending in long shots as Togo press up the pitch. Frei and then Yakin fire in speculative shots which don't worry Agassa.
72. min.
40,000 Swiss fans gasp as Hasan Yakin aims a spectacular but ultimately weak bicycle kick at Agassa's goal.
75. min.
Streller comes on for Cabanas
78. min.
Mohamed Kader looks to have missed a sitter but the linesman's flag is up. The cross found him alone with only Zuberbühler to beat with a header and he glanced it wide. Good job he was offside. It's easier to live down when it doesn't mean the difference between defeat and a draw.
80. min.
A very hopeful shot from Frei from the halfway line nearly embarasses Agassa. The shot dips just over.
83. min.
Switzerland are living dangerously as Togo throw everything at them as they search for the equalizer. But Togo beware! The Swiss have proved effective on the break.
88. min.
GOAL SWITZERLAND
88. min.
Barretta rifles in a unstoppable shot
Picking up a pass from across the penalty area, Barretta sprints into the box and hits the ball first time. It flies past Agassa and in off the far post to give Switzerland victory.
90. min.
Johan Vogel gets a yellow card
90+3. min.
Full-time: Switzerland beat Togo 2-0
Switzerland go to the top of Group G, level on points with South Korea but number one on goal difference.
Togo take on Switzerland in a Group G game which could be important for both sides. After France drew 1-1 with South Korea, the group is wide open. A win for the Swiss will put them joint top; a win for Togo will put them second, a draw will leave both teams and France sweating on the final game in the group.
The Teams:
Togo:
Kossi Agassa, Dare Nibombe, Massamasso Tchangai (capt), Assimiou Toure, Kuami Agboh, Thomas Dossevi, Cherif Toure Mamam, Alaixys Romao, Emmanuel Adebayor, Mohamed Kader, Richmond Forson Coach: Otto Pfister Switzerland: Pascal Zuberbuhler, Ludovic Magnin, Philippe Senderos, Patrick Muller, Philipp Degen, Tranquillo Barnetta, Johann Vogel (capt), Ricardo Cabanas, Raphael Wicky, Alexander Frei, Daniel Gygax Coach: Kobi KuhnInjuries and cards deplete teams
Switzerland will have to make do without groin-injury victim Valon Behrami with Daniel Gygax teaming up with Alexander Frei in attack instead of Marco Streller. Togo are without captain Juan-Pual Abalo who is suspended after a red card against South Korea. They have already lost Ludovic Assemoassa for the rest of a the finals with a knee ligament injury.
The teams enter the stadium
There is an overwhelming vision of red and white at the Westfalenstadion as the Swiss supporters attempt to turn the 66,000 capacity ground into a home game for their team. There is a strong and loud pocket of Togoan resistance though and the Africans will more than make up for their dearth in numbers by making as much noise as possible.
1. min.
Togo gets the game underway
Togo kick-off this potentially enthralling match. The Swiss can top Group G if they win today but Togo will be looking to sneak into the second qualification place at the expense of Switzerland.
1. min.
Togo gave South Korea an early scare and will want to muscle their way to a quick lead against the disciplined Swiss. Philipe Senderos sends a weak back pass to goalie Zuberbühler but Manu Adebayor is not as fast as the keeper.
3. min.
Ricardo Cabanas picks up the loose ball on the edge of the area and has the first shot on goal for the Swiss. Agassa saves easily but it was a good chance.
4. min.
Again the Swiss aim to build a move along the penalty box and set up a shot from distance as the Togo defenders back track This time Frei blasts over.
5. min.
Mohamed Kader has Togo's first sniff of goal after a great knock-on by Adebayor. The striker wriggles past Senderos and homes in on goal but Zuberbühler smothers the ball at his feet.
7. min.
Cabanas sends in a curling cross from deep in the midfield and Alex Frei heads well but Agassa saves comfortably. Assimou Toure at right back, out jumped by Frei, is having a torrid first few minutes for Togo.
9. min.
Cabanas is robbed by Adebayor and the leggy striker strides away, heading away from goal on the diagonal. With the outside of his left foot, he produces a great flicked cross which just evades Kader a meter out.
10. min.
Frei attacks Toure again and the Togo right back concedes a corner.
11. min.
The short corner back fires and the Togo midfield pick up the loose ball and advance upfield.
12. min.
The Swiss are playing some nice one-touch passes across the face of the penalty area but they're lacking a killer final pass. The attack earns another corner though.
13. min.
Agassa punches the ball away but the Swiss maintain possession. The ball comes in from Magnin but Frei is offside.
15. min.
GOAL SWITZERLAND
16. min.
Frei knocks in the final ball after a great move!
Magnin sends a great, deep cross over and Barnetta knocks the ball into Frei a meter out who volleys unchallenged past Agassa.
18. min.
Switzerland's left-back Magnin is proving to be the fulcrum of every Swiss attack. His crossing is dangerous and precise. The Togo defenders are being pulled out of shape by the swapping of positions by Frei and Gygax up front. Togo have to get a grip or they face conceding more.
20. min.
Cabanas gets through the defense again on a Magnin cross but as he tries to chip the keeper from two meters out the whistle goes for offside.
22. min.
Mamam fires in a speculative cross for Adebayor but the ball is far too near Zuberbühler.
23. min.
Philippe Senderos is being a bit too casual in the heart of the Swiss defense. That is the fourth time he has been caught with the ball by nippy Togo attacker Kader. Luckily there is no real danger this time.
26. min.
Adebayor somehow manages to keep the ball in play and races off down the right flank this time but his cross has no target and the Swiss mop up with ease.
28. min.
For all their speed, strength and industry, Togo are rarely threatening. They look by far the fitter of the two teams but their running is often wild with little idea of what to do with the ball. Great to watch at times but frustrating!
30. min.
Best chance for Togo!
Adebayor plays a great reverse ball down the left flank for the overlap run of Romao. He crosses at speed; Senderos air-kicks and the ball falls to Kader at the far post but his first time shot zips just wide of the goal.
32. min.
Adebayor tries a curling shot from distance but the ball has no pace and Zuberbühler's almost ironically dramatic save causes a section of the crowd to jeer.
35. min.
Penalty appeals from Togo
Adebayor has a good case for a penalty turned down. He evaded the first tackle but Muller left his leg in and tripped the striker in the box as he tried to advance. Carlos Amarilla the referee waves play on.
36. min.
After much praise, Ludovic Magnin makes a horrendous mistake which lets in Adebayor on the right. He steams into the box unchallenged and crosses short to Kader with the goal at his mercy. Muller then Senderos get stuck in and chaos ensues, ending with a wild clearance.
40. min.
Mamam runs at the goal with purpose from his defensive midfield position and unleashes a great shot from 30 meters out. The ball curls at the last moment but Zuberbühler claims it confidently.
42. min.
Switzerland have lost the impetus they had in the first 25 minutes and have been pushed back by the maverick Togo attackers.
44. min.
Togo's Salifou gets the first card
45. min.
Half-time: Togo still chase the Swiss lead
45. min.
Second-half: Switzerland gets the game restarted
The Swiss begin defending their narrow 1-0 lead over Togo.
45. min.
Daniel Gygax is off; Hakan Yakin is on
47. min.
Manu Adebayor gets the first card of the half
Adebayor climbs all over his Arsenal team-mate Senderos and gets a yellow card for his troubles.
47. min.
Barnetta has a great chance on goal. He takes the pass into the box on his knee and turns in one movement, volleying a curling effort at goal. Agassa acrobatically saves.
50. min.
Romao gets the next card for Togo
That's one way of stopping an attack. Romao scythes down Wicky in full flight to get a ayellow card.
52. min.
Hakan Yakin picks up the ball just outside the Togo box, takes two steps and unleashes a blaster which just misses the angle of post and bar.
56. min.
Open goal missed by Alex Frei
Alex Frei is clipped in and the Togo defenders remain static as he hits the ball over the bar from a meter out!
61. min.
The second-half is shaping up in much the same way as the first at this stage. Switzerland have had the best chances and Togo are lacking ideas. If it goes the same way as the first, the Swiss can expect a tough finish.
63. min.
Yakin has another great chance
Frei plays in Hakan Yakin on the edge of the area and Yakin hits another scorcher at Agassa who beats the ball away.
68. min.
Togo are now starting to get players up in numbers as the match enters the last 22 minutes of normal play.
68. min.
Semaya comes on for Dossevi
71. min.
The Swiss are reduced to sending in long shots as Togo press up the pitch. Frei and then Yakin fire in speculative shots which don't worry Agassa.
72. min.
40,000 Swiss fans gasp as Hasan Yakin aims a spectacular but ultimately weak bicycle kick at Agassa's goal.
75. min.
Streller comes on for Cabanas
78. min.
Mohamed Kader looks to have missed a sitter but the linesman's flag is up. The cross found him alone with only Zuberbühler to beat with a header and he glanced it wide. Good job he was offside. It's easier to live down when it doesn't mean the difference between defeat and a draw.
80. min.
A very hopeful shot from Frei from the halfway line nearly embarasses Agassa. The shot dips just over.
83. min.
Switzerland are living dangerously as Togo throw everything at them as they search for the equalizer. But Togo beware! The Swiss have proved effective on the break.
88. min.
GOAL SWITZERLAND
88. min.
Barretta rifles in a unstoppable shot
Picking up a pass from across the penalty area, Barretta sprints into the box and hits the ball first time. It flies past Agassa and in off the far post to give Switzerland victory.
90. min.
Johan Vogel gets a yellow card
90+3. min.
Full-time: Switzerland beat Togo 2-0
Switzerland go to the top of Group G, level on points with South Korea but number one on goal difference.
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