Switzerland had one foot in the World Cup second round after their 2-0 win here over Togo left Koebi Kuhn’s inexperienced progressive side needing just a point from their remaining group game.

Goals in either half from Alexander Frei and Tranquillo Barnetta lifted Kuhn’s youngsters to the top of the table on goal difference and ended Togo’s slim hopes of pursuing their turbulent World Cup adventure beyond the first round.

Togo bow out of their first World Cup against 1998 champions France, the third team still in the chase for a last 16 berth from Group G, on Friday

Kuhn, who was sent home by Switzerland from the 1966 World Cup after breaking a curfew, summed up his class of 2006’s performance as doing well - but will do a lot better.

“For a long time we made far too many mistakes but we are also here to learn and we can keep on improving.”

Despite only needing a point from Friday’s fixture in Hannover he insisted: “We want to beat South Korea.”

Kuhn showed remarkable agility for a sexagenarian, jumping for delight when Frei opened the scoring in the 16th minute.

Ludovic Magnin crossed from the left for Barnetta to flick on to the Rennes attacker who tapped in for Switzerland’s first goal of the World Cup.

Frei, for whom this was a redeeming moment after being sent home himself from Euro 2004 for spitting at England’s Steven Gerrard, is hoping to see a lot more of this stadium as the Rennes striker is keen to join teammate, winger Philipp Degen at Borussia Dortmund.

Kuhn then had to wait until the 88th minute before Barnetta, with a low angled shot from the right, got Switzerland’s all important second goal which affords the third youngest team in the finals to go into the Korean game only needing a share of the spoils.

Kuhn said his side had been far from perfect.

“We made far too many mistakes, and we should have built a lot more on what Togo were offering us in midfield.

“But we’re here to learn. I hope we can improve and keep on improving. I know what my team are capable of doing.”

Kuhn’s opposite number, Otto Pfister, said he was proud of his team, who had threatened to boycott this fixture unless their dispute over unpaid bonuses was finally settled.

“Switzerland are a good side who were simply more realistic at using their goal-scoring chances,” he said.

“But I am satisfied with my team. They are here to learn and I think they have given a good impression of themselves.”

Switzerland were supported by a sea of red in the 65,000-seater stadium and Kuhn paid tribute to the supporters.

“There was an extraordinary atmoshpere, and in Dortmund of all places, but this team have triggered this enthusiasm not because it always plays so well but even when performances are not so good it has a lot of temperament.

“The fans want to see players give everything for their country.”

Togo had appeals for a penalty turned down after the half hour mark when their star player, Arsenal’s Emmanuel Adebayor, fell crashing to the floor after a tackle by defender Patrick Muller.

Ironically it was Muller who was at the centre of another failed penalty appeal when his hand touched a Thierry Henry shot in last week’s game against France.

Asked if he thought Carlos Amarilla, the Paraguayan referee, had made the right decision Kuhn said sportingly: “During the match I wasn’t sure but from seeing it on television that was a penalty, quite clearly.”

The Switzerland-based Pfister, not unnaturally, agreed with his long time friend.

“You know you shouldn’t criticise referees because you get into trouble but there are rules of the game, look at the tv footage, that’s all I’ll say…”

Kuhn meanwhile did not believe all the off-pitch drama over the unpaid bonuses dispute had played into his team’s hands.

He said impishly: “I know Otto Pfister, he’s very experienced - that was all theatre staged by Otto. I have known him for a long time, I know how his mind works!”

Source:Soccer News