Swiss roll over Togo challenge

It was a game of two halves as Switzerland beat Togo by two goals to nil in World Cup Group G in Dortmund. The Togolese are effectively out of the tournament while the Swiss will fancy their chances of progressing after goals from Alexander Frei and Tranquillo Barnetta.

Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor looked dangerous on the counter-attack in the opening minutes, regularly striding in from the left, and was unfortunate not to give his side the lead.

However Switzerland had the vast majority of the possession in the first half, achieved through a short passing game that Togo did not even attempt to emulate.

It afforded the Europeans several good opportunities to cross the ball into the penalty area from wide positions and it was from one such chance that they took the lead on 16 minutes.

Rafael Wicky found space on the left and delivered a pinpoint cross to the feet of Barnetta, who arrived at the far post. A first-time ball back across goal allowed Alexander Frei perhaps the easiest goal he will ever score from just two yards out.

Adebayor continued to threaten whenever Togo broke forward and in the 34th minute was furious when refused a penalty by referee Carlos Amarilla.

The Togo star turned inside Patrick Muller on the left edge of the penalty area, who stuck his leg out behind to sweep his long legs away and send him sprawling.

ROLES REVERSED

The second half saw a different Togo emerge. Added to their swift attacking play was a confidence in possession lacking in the first half.

Substitutes Junior Senaya and Moustapha Salifou made numerous chances but the balls into the box all too often ended with a Swiss boot clearing the danger.

The contrast was highlighted further by the counter-attacking of Switzerland. Koebi Kuhn's team defended deep and a substitute of their own, Hakan Yakin, almost scored a second with a sublime volley.

The introduction of Mauro Lustrinelli on 87 minutes paid immediate dividends when he stroked a pass along the width of the penalty area and Barnetta struck it first time off the far post and into the goal.

The thousands of Swiss fans celebrated a vital victory which puts the team top of Group G and in pole position to qualify for the second round in their final group match with South Korea.

Togo, meanwhile, will be left to rue the fact that at times they did not take the game to the Swiss, although they deserved more from the match.

Man of the match:Emmanuel Adebayor. The leggy front man caused no end of problems for Switzerland and should have had a penalty in the first half.