Live from Germany

Hero of 2002 Ahn again as world awaits Brazil

South Korea came from behind to beat Togo 2-1 on Tuesday ahead of a second Group G tie between France and Switzerland and the day's great attraction tonight which sees champions Brazil roll out their show against Croatia.

The early match turned in Korea's favour after Togo, leading 1-0 at the time, had captain Jean-Paul Abalo sent off on 53 minutes for a second bookable offense. Lee Chun-soo, looking David Beckhamesque with his dyed blond hair, then fired home the ensuing free-kick for the equaliser.

South Korean 2002 World Cup hero Ahn Jung-hwan, whose golden-goal sent Italy home from Asia four years ago, also scored the winner here, this time with lob in the 72nd rather than his now famous extra-time header of old

It could all have been so different for Togo, whose coach Otto Pfister quit at the weekend only to be reinstated just in time for the match. Mohamed Kader gave them a 31st minute lead when he brought down a long ball on his knee before sending a pin-point shot into the far corner. And ten minutes later 'keeper Lee Won-Jae kept the Koreans in the match when he denied Yao Junior Senaya a second goal for Togo with a fine save from a free-kick.

Samba boys ready to rock

The team spearheaded by Ronaldinho and Ronaldo are the hot favourites to retain the title they won four years ago in Japan, and every one of their matches in Germany will be watched by packed stadiums.

Fans wearing the familiar yellow shirts were making their way to the Berlin Olympic Stadium even 12 hours before the game kicked off at 1900 GMT.

The samba kings are seeking to emulate their compatriots who won consecutive titles in 1958 and 1962. Italy, in 1934 and 1938, are the only other country to have achieved the feat.

Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira rejected suggestions that the pressure was affecting his players.

"Every game is a final - many teams that were favourites have failed.

"The pressure comes from outside and doesn't hurt us," insisted Parreira.

But Croatia have quality too, and the 1998 semi-finalists are looking to throw a spanner in the Brazilian works.

France go into their match against Switzerland in Stuttgart at 1600 GMT desperate to wipe away the bitter disappointment of four years ago when they became the first Cup holders to exit in the first round.

Zinedine Zidane's powers may have dimmed, but striker Thierry Henry is playing the best football of his career and coach Raymond Domenech has drafted in the joker in his pack, Marseille's attacking midfielder Frank Ribery, to bring a new edge to an ageing team.