Swiss Favorites to Roll Over Togo in Wide Open Group G
June 19, 2006
Kobi Kuhn's side opened their campaign with a goalless draw against France, who take on table leaders South Korea 24 hours earlier.
Kuhn, who was on the Swiss side that competed in the 1966 finals but never got a game as he was sent home early for breaking a curfew, has injury concerns involving Lazio defender Valon Behrami whose World Cup looks over after getting injured in training.
There was more positive news about Ludovic Magnin, who was left with an injured ankle after the France match and skipped training on Thursday.
"We're optimistic. He should be fit to play on Monday," said Swiss medical officer Roland Grossen.
The Swiss, who boast the third youngest side at the finals, proved a match for former world champions France last Tuesday, with Arsenal center-half Philippe Senderos, who hit the bar with a header in Stuttgart, in particular catching the eye.
Like France though they've got striking issues after Johan Vonlanthen, the preferred choice to pair up with Alexander Frei in attack, missed out on coming to Germany with a torn thigh muscle.
Kuhn put Marco Streller, who plays his club football down the road from here with FC Cologne, up front with Frei in the opener and he'll be hoping this duo can be more productive this time around.
Swiss played with heart but coach wants more
His verdict on his team's debut was mixed. "My team played with a lot of will but we have a number of things to put right, especially in defense and ball possession."
South Korea coach Dick Advocaat stressed before his side's run-in with World Cup debutants Togo that he wouldn't be underestimating them, and he was right as the Africans went into half-time leading the 2002 semi-finalists 1-0 after a goal by Mohamed Kader.
But the Koreans eventually hit back, taking the honors 2-1.
Togo, who largely rely on star player Emmanuel Adebayor of Arsenal, put up a spirited performance made all the more admirable considering their captain Jean-Paul Abalo was sent off early in the second half and their coach's temporary walk-out.
German Otto Pfister resigned just days before the game in a row over unpaid player bonuses.
In a farce that did Togolese football's reputation no good at all, Kodjovi Mawuena was appointed to step in before Pfister eventually returned just before the game after the bonus row was resolved and will stay at least until after the World Cup is over.
Pfister will toast a win -- with juice maybe
But the Togolese camp is not a happy one for Pfister this week announced he was intending to sue Assogbavi Komlan, secretary general of the Togo Football Federation, who claimed the 68-year-old was an alcoholic.
"I am going to sue Komlan for defamation and bring the matter to the attention of FIFA," said Pfister. "To say that I am an alcoholic is risible, because I don't drink a drop of alcohol."
Pfister blamed a lack of realism for the loss to South Korea.
"African players take it very easy -- they think they are going to win before the game. You have to respect the opposition -- the players thought we were going to win and get three points. But it is time to forget about that -- it is old news -- and concentrate on Switzerland," he said.