Frei,
Barnetta end Togo’s turbulent adventure
By Ben Memuletiwon
Tuesday,
June 20, 2006
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Alexander
Frei
Photo: Sun News Publishing
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Alexander Frei and Tranquillo Barnetta handed Switzerland
a deserved 2–0 Group G victory over Togo at the Westfalen
stadion in Dortmund.
Frei's close-range strike after 16 minutes and Barnetta's
second with two minutes remaining were the first goals the
Swiss have scored at a World Cup since 1994 - and ended Togo's
hopes of reaching the last 16.
Togo started the game well and Mohamed Kader had the first
chance, when he superbly turned Philippe Senderos, but his
shot was well saved by Pascal Zuberbuhler.
Emmanuel Adebayor then headed just wide and Kader had a shot
saved before Switzerland struck. Barnetta knocked Ludovic
Magnin's cross into the path of Frei and the striker prodded
the ball home from close range.
However, it was Togo, who continued to impress with Adebayor
particularly lively, and the Arsenal striker should have won
his side a penalty on 35minutes, when he appeared to be tripped,
only for the referee to wave away the Africans' appeals.
Switzerland managed to stamp their authority on the game more
in the second half, but Togo keeper, Kossi Agassa was in fine
form, saving well from Barnetta and Hakin Yakin.
Swiss coach, Kobi Kuhn brought on striker Marco Streller with
10 minutes to go to try and improve their goal difference
and they did just that with two minutes to go.
Barnetta picked up the ball outside the area and fired a sweet
20-yard strike in off the far post to prematurely end Togo's
World Cup adventure and put Switzerland joint top of Group
G with South Korea.
France now need to win by two clear goals against Togo in
their final clash to ensure qualification for the knockout
stages.
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