Philippe Senderos had opened the scoring for the Swiss on the 23rd minute as the Arsenal defender rose above everybody to head directly home a free kick from Hakan Yakin, butting heads with Choi Jin Cheul and earning a bloody face in the process.

Korea's Lee Chun Soo (C) vies against Switzerland's Ricardo Cabanas (L) and Philipp Degen during the final round match of World Cup 2006 Group G between Korea and Switzerland in Hanover, Germany, June 23, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

    He never stopped smiling even as the blood streamed down his face while he walked off the pitch to get the cut washed.

    "It was a very intense match, South Korea are a good team and we were a bit lucky at times, but we deserved the win I think overall," Swiss coach Kobi Kuhn said.

    "We deservedly won and now we're proud to be in the top 16 in the world," Frei said.

    Swiss goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuehler came out the only goalie not conceding a goal so far at the tournament.

    "I'm proud of the team, I'm proud of not letting in a goal and above all I'm proud of reaching the second round," he said. "Being the only keeper not to let in a goal is of course a great bonus."

    It's Yakin, however, who made the differences with his set-pieces, especially at the first half.

    The Swiss should have extended the lead earlier before the interval, just a quarter after their first goal, when another free kick was awarded in 38 minutes after Kim Jin-Kyu went in late on Ricardo Cabanas and joined Chu-Young Park on a yellow card.

    Yakin came to the spot and shot on goal from 30 meters to forceLee Woon Jae slapped it out for a corner, which was again driven by Yakin and the ball deflected off Kim Dong Jin to fly wide.

    The 29-year-old came as a starter for Switzerland after their influencial midfielder Daniel Gygax was sidelined by badly bruised stomach muscles.

    Yakin had impressed at his team's previous game against Togo as a substitute to Gygax and Friday's match was the first time for him in nine months after enduring an injury-ravaged time.

    With one of the youngest squads at the World Cup, the Swiss have viewed this tournament as a chance to gain experience for Euro 2008.

    Switzerland earn a last 16 clash with Ukraine in Cologne next Monday, while France take Spain in Hanover next Tuesday. Enditem