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FOOTBALL

Swiss on a high as Togo roll over

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Frei celebrates after sending the Swiss into an early lead against Togo.

DORTMUND, Germany -- Switzerland beat Togo 2-0 in Dortmund on Monday to leave themselves needing only a draw against South Korea in their final game to qualify from Group G.

Alexander Frei got the first goal on 16 minutes, touching in after Tranquillo Barnetta and Ludovic Magnan had exchanged passes.

It was the Rennes striker's 26th goal in 48 games for his country -- and Barnetta added a late second to take the Swiss to the top of their group.

Frei said Barnetta's goal after 88 minutes was vital to Swiss hopes of making the next stage.

"Of course, that was important," Frei said. "Our coach told us at halftime that we had to score a second and we did. The 2-0 victory is ideal."

The Swiss moved on to four points and above South Korea, also four, while France -- they finish against Togo -- have two.

Switzerland coach Kobi Kuhn agreed with striker Frei, saying: "The 2-0 victory gives us more hope because we don't absolutely have to win our next match.

"The players knew that in the last minutes we needed to do everything to score another. It wasn't easy against Togo. They had two very strong strikers and a midfield they pulled back."

Frei also paid tribute to Togo on their World Cup debut. "There are no easy teams," he said. "Togo was a strong opponent, they have good players. The sentiment in the team is great."

Togo coach Otto Pfister complained that his team should have had a penalty when Emmanuel Adebayor was brought down in the area by Patrick Mueller after 35 minutes.

"The Swiss didn't have a lot of chances. They just used their opportunities better than us. The fact that we didn't get that penalty call was unbelievable though," said Pfister.

"We can't be happy, but the team is here to learn and I think they put on a good show," added the German coach.

Boycott threat

Togo, whose players had threatened on Sunday to boycott the match over a long-running internal pay dispute, seemed unhampered by the unorthodox build-up as the game finally got underway.

Aside from Frei's goal, there was little to distinguish the two teams during the first half with Switzerland enjoying plenty of possession but Togo looking the more dangerous on the break.

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor was involved in the half's most controversial moment when he attempted to swerve around Patrick Mueller in the penalty area before seeming to be caught by the Swiss defender's flailing leg.

To Togo's disgust, the referee ignored their 35th minute penalty appeals.

It was only when the second half got underway that Switzerland finally started to look worth their lead, with Barnetta, Frei and half-time substitute Hakan Yakin all going close shortly after the re-start.

In the 64th minute Yakin again had an opportunity to double Switzerland's lead but his sizzling shot was well saved by Togo keeper Kossi Agassa.

Barnetta finally made sure of Switzerland's win, latching on to a ball on the right of the Togo box and lashing in a low, accurate drive into the far corner.

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