GERMANY: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Switzerland look to progress beyond the second round of the World Cup

Record ID: 335526

  • Title: GERMANY: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Switzerland look to progress beyond the second round of the World Cup
  • Date: 25th October 2005
  • Summary: COLOGNE, GERMANY (JUNE 25, 2006) (REUTERS) ARRIVAL OF SWISS COACH KOEBI KUHN AT NEWS CONFERENCE WIDE OF PODIUM WITH PAN TO PRESS (SOUNDBITE) (German) SWISS COACH KOEBI KUHN SAYING: "We are still hungry to win, especially now that we could get to that stage we have with the match tomorrow. It is clear that I don't have to say much to the team, if you look at the opponents i
  • Embargoed: 9th November 2005 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA6ESZK1Y8QFOA18UP0ZMYQ896D
  • Story Text: Switzerland face Ukraine in the second roun d of the World Cup and the Swiss are hungry to get further following their impressive 2-0 victory over 2002 semi-finalists South Korea.
    "We are still hungry to win," coach Koebi Kuhn said on Sunday (June 25), "especially now that we could get to that stage we have with the match tomorrow. It is clear that I don't have to say much to the team, if you look at the opponents in the last of sixteen round, then it is a relatively exclusive list, and that is enough motivation for us."
    Bidding to make their fourth appearance in the World Cup quarter-finals, but their first in over 50 years, the Swiss have emphasised their reliance on well-drilled teamwork over individual showmanship.
    The Swiss should offer Ukraine's striker Andriy Shevchenko as stiff a challenge as he does them -- although both sides have new defensive problems to deal with going into the Cologne showdown on Monday (June 26).
    "We aren't going to take any special measures," Ludovic Magnin told Reuters. "I think we have proved that we are capable of beating the whole world, you just have to look at our solid defence, I mean we haven't conceded a goal in any of our three matches. We know very well that everything depends on this match, this single match will decide whether we continue in the tournament or not. As I said we are really give it our all, we can't let it come to a draw or anything, but we have always played to win, and that is all the better because we shall have to win tomorrow."
    Switzerland were dealt the biggest blow when central defender Philippe Senderos learned he would miss the rest of the tournament after dislocating his shoulder during the win over the Koreans.
    The 21-year-old Arsenal player will be out of action for a minimum of two weeks, leaving Switzerland dependent on Senderos's 19-year-old club mate Johan Djourou.
    Ukraine's problem is short-term with Vyacheslav Svidersky and Andriy Rusol suspended. Potential replacement Dmitro Chigrinsky has been sidelined by a thigh injury and will probably play no further part in the tournament.
    With both sides granted just two days' rest after their final group matches, fitness, stamina and the effective use of reserve players may prove as important as individual finesse, though Alexander Frei said he thought the support of the Swiss fans helps.
    "The advantage for us is that we have far more supporters than other countries, perhaps because we are so much closer to Switzerland than if the World Cup was in Uruguay or South Africa, and that is perhaps an advantage. But I think the supporters are saying 'me, I'd like to take part in this campaign with this team because I enjoy it.'"
    Barring a major upset by Australia, the winners are likely to face Italy in the quarter-finals just four days later.
    Probable teams:
    Switzerland (4-5-1):
    1-Pascal Zuberbuehler; 3-Ludovic Magnin, 2-Johann Djourou, 20-Patrick Mueller, 23-Philipp Degen; 8-Raphael Wicky, 6-Johann Vogel, 7-Ricardo Cabanas, 22-Hakan Yakin, 16-Tranquillo Barnetta; 9-Alex Frei
    Coach: Koebi Kuhn
    Ukraine (3-5-2):
    1-Oleksander Shovkovsky; 5-Volodymir Yezersky, 17-Vladislav Vashchyuk, 2-Andriy Nesmachny; 9-Oleg Gusev, 4-Anatoly Tymoshchyuk, 8-Oleg Shelayev, 19-Maxim Kalinichenko, 11-Serhiy Rebrov; 7-Andriy Shevchenko,10-Andriy Voronin
    Coach: Oleg Blokhin
    Referee: Benito Archundia (Mexico)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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