June 19, 2006
NO GO FOR TOGO
Swiss eliminate Africans with 2-0 win

DORTMUND, GERMANY---Togo tumultuous first trip to the World Cup will ultimately be a short one, the result of a 2-0 loss to Switzerland on Monday.

Switzerland took a 16th minute lead on a goal by Alexander Frei, which came as the resul tof excellent ball work by the Swiss. Ludovic Magnin worked the ball up the right wing, and sent the ball across the box to Tranquillo Barnetta. Barnetta quickly tapped the ball right to he feet of Frei who was stationed in the six yard box.

Togo, which had threatened to not play the match over a pay dispute, should have had a chance to equalize in the 35th minute when Emmanuel Adebayor was tripped at the corner of the penalty area by Patrick Mueller, but no call was made.

Togo’s goalkeeper Kossi Agassa kept them in the game with several good saves, including one on the 64th minute on a shot by second half sub Hakan Yakin.

Switzerland, which outshot Togo 15-10, finally put the game away in the 88th minute on a counter attack. Mauro Lustrinelli, who had only come one minute earlier sent a cross along the top of the box to Barnetta who hit it to the opposite post.

Switzerland and South Korea are tied in Group G with four points. They play each other on Friday. Togo has a chance to play spoiler against France, which has two points after two games, but could potentially advance with a win and a loss by either Switzerland or South Korea.