Switzerland v South Korea - Preview

Korea aim to scale Swiss mountain

South Korea will have to conjure up more of their 2002 magic to pull a last 16 place out of the hat with victory over Switzerland in their Group G crunch match on Friday.

A comeback 2-1 win over Togo and a much-acclaimed 1-1 draw with 1998 world champions France could be to no avail because of Switzerland's marginally better goal difference which gives them the luxury of just needing a point from the final group fixture.

If the Koreans lose to the powerful, clockwork-like Swiss and France beat trouble-plagued Togo by two clear goals, the surprise 2002 semi-finalists will go out. But a win will see them top the group such are the muddling permutations.

South Korea, who humbled European powerhouses Portugal, Italy and Spain during their glory run four years ago, could still qualify in second place if they draw with Switzerland but the players are refusing to dream that Togo can achieve a result against the fading but still flair-filled French.

Other final-day scenarios could result in the drawing of lots to determine whether France or South Korea progress to the second round but neither side want to rely on lady luck for their World Cup survival.

The first ever encounter between the two countries may develop into a battle of wits between South Korea's coach Dick Advocaat and his opposite number Kobi Kuhn, who have been hailed as tactical genuises for their match-altering substitutions.

Advocaat gambled by playing with four forwards when South Korea were 1-0 down against Togo and was rewarded when substitute Ahn Jung-Hwan grabbed the winning goal and the much-travelled Dutchman's introduction of winger Seol Ki-Hyeon at half-time when trailing 1-0 to France turned the tide in Korea's favour.

"It is important that we get the tactics right again," said Advocaat.

"Switzerland are well organised and place many players behind the ball. But whenever they have a chance, they like to attack, whether they play England or Korea. That is their style of play.

Kuhn brought on midfield dynamo Hakan Yakin followed by strikers Marco Streller and Mauro Lustrinelli as Switzerland pressed forward for the vital second goal against Togo and the switches paid off handsomely with Tranquillo Barnetta's 88th minute strike.

"It didn't actually matter if we had let in a goal at that point (the last 15 minutes) because drawing 1-1 or winning 1-0 would have had the same effect - either way we would have had to beat South Korea in the final game," said the astute Kuhn.

The Asian flagbearers are hoping that Switzerland might adopt a defensive approach which would play into their hands but their opponents insist they are not crazy enough to set out their stall for a draw.

"We are determined to defeat Switzerland and go through (to the last 16)," said striker Cho Jae-Jin, whose header across goal set up Park Ji-Sung's dramatic 81st minute equaliser against France.

"The Swiss might relax, thinking they just need a draw. It could give us a chance to put them under pressure.

Switzerland's influential midfielder Daniel Gygax has been ruled out of the clash with badly bruised stomach muscles. He was replaced at half-time in the 2-0 win over Togo.

Teams

Switzerland

Pascal Zuberbuhler, Christoph Spycher, Philippe Senderos, Patrick Muller, Philipp Degen, Tranquillo Barnetta, Johann Vogel (capt), Ricardo Cabanas, Raphael Wicky, Alexander Frei, Hakan Yakin. Coach: Kobi Kuhn

South Korea

Lee Woon-Jae (capt), Kim Jin-Kyu, Kim Dong-Jin, Choi Jin-Cheul, Lee Young-Pyo, Lee Ho, Kim Nam-Il, Park Ji-Sung, Lee Chun-Soo, Park Chu-Young, Cho Jae-Jin. Coach: Dick Advocaat

Referee

Horacio Elizondo (ARG)