DORTMUND, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Group G finally came out one of those where teams race to the wire as South Korea and Switzerland both head into Friday's game in Hanover unbeaten but in a vulnerable position.
Switzerland, with 4 points from previous matches against France and Togo, only need a draw to progress, while the South Koreans, trailing the leaders Swiss on goal differences, must win to keep alive their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages.
With France expected to beat Togo in the day's other game, the loser between Switzerland and South Korea is likely to be knocked out, while a draw would mean that South Korea would be left to sweat on the France score line.
It's no wonder then that coach Dick Advocaat has urged his side to beat Switzerland outright and avoid complications.
"Finishing as number one in the group has never happened before in South Korea so we can make history," Advocaat said. "The only problem is we have to play against a good side like Switzerland."
Switzerland and South Korea have never met before. This is the first time Switzerland take on an Asian opponent in a World Cup match, and South Korea have played European teams 17 times before at the World Cup, winning only three times and all three wins came in 2002 on home soil.
With one of the youngest squads at the World Cup, the Swiss, viewing this tournament as a chance to gain experience for Euro 2008, go into Friday's game with influential midfielder Daniel Gygax unavailable due to badly bruised stomach muscles.
Coach Kobi Kuhn could instead start Hakan Yakin, who replaced Gygax against Togo and impressed at his first appearance for the national team in nine months after enduring an injury-ravaged time.
"We always go out to win, playing in an attacking manner if we can. But if the match does end in a draw I will be very, very happy, " said the Swiss coach.
The other worry for those ready to invest on Switzerland is the form of Philippe Senderos. The big Arsenal center-back was troubled several times by the Togo front pair and just doesn't look the same player who helped the Gunners rack up all those clean sheets in the Champions League.
South Korean, looking to repeat a superb performance of making the semi-finals four years ago, only has one major injury doubt, with Ho Lee struggling for fitness after being stretchered off against France.
Ahn Jung-hwan, whose golden goal against Italy famously got him the sack from his Italian club Perugia, is pressing for a recall after having scored against Togo as a substitute, while Kim Dong-jin, Lee Chun-soo and Kim Young-chu are all just one caution away from sitting out the second round should their side get there. Enditem
