LiveBlog: Togo-Switzerland

June 19th, 2006 | by: Peter |

Switzerland puts an end to the Togo drama (there can’t be any more can there?) by finishing two of their chances to Togo’s zero.

Final: Switzerland 2-0 Togo

Final: Switzerland used an alternating pace and a lot of long range shots at the beginning of the game to keep Togo guessing on defense and then altered Togo’s attacks just enough that they could never get one past the goalie. Togo may have outplayed Switzerland in the first half, and certainly saw their fair share of chances in front of the goal. They definitely showed up to play in a game that it was thought they might skip altogether.

93:00 Game over.

91:25 Three minutes exra time and team captain Johann Vogel (Swiss) gets booked with a yellow for kicking the ball away.

90:25 Good shot by Salifou off the corner, goalie sends it just up and over the net.

87:55 Goal Switzerland! Barnetta hits the far corner on the ground after a cross to bury Togo and mostly end their world cup.

86:35 Adebayor looks gassed from carrying his team and Frei comes off for Lustrinelli.

85:31 Corner for Togo.

83:51 Switzerland free kick curls about 20 feet over the goal.

82:22 Togo again showing a world class inability to finish has to rely on one on one defense to take the ball from the Swiss counter.

78:59 A Togo goal will make this game and group very interesting for the last ten minutes and the last game of the round. Frei catches the Togo goalie a little far from the goal and nearly puts it in from midfield. He misses about a foot high.

77:26 Togo quite offsides.

77:07 Streller coming in for Cabanas for Switzerland.

74:47 A free kick for Togo is fought over by Switzerland, who truly thought it was their ball, but the free kick is headed back out without any real chance of going anywhere. Oh the drama.

73:31 Togo demonstrates some skill and offensive ideas, but can’t get two players in the right place at the right time.

71:59 Yakin with a bicycle kick off a cross that is impressively sent towards the goal with no speed.

71:15 Corner for Switzerland hauled in by the keeper.

69:30 Goal kick for Togo and Adebayor is running things from the middle. His pass out dribbles out of bounds.

68:00 Senaya in for Dosevi on Togo’s side.

66:00 Togo dances around, flirting with taking a shot, then loses the ball and has to recover to stop Switzerland’s coutnerattack. The changes in speed of this game are making me think that maybe the Swiss are boring to watch the rest of the time on purpose.

65:02 That was the first indication this half that Switz wants anything more than a 1-0 win.

63:42 Yakin gets an open shot and a great ground save by Togo’s goalie sends them away with only a corner.

62:18 Togo has the ball taken from them, Switzerland can’t make anthing of it.

60:00 Togo seems ready to tie the game, they’re making good runs and getting open, the pesky swiss are just changing their attack a little bit every time and they can’t get good spacing.

57:25 Alexander Frei nearly comes through again with a goal, stays onside, but he can’t keep the ball down and it’s over the goal.

54:22 Switzerland appear to be just burning time off the clock. No real organization from Togo at the other end but Adebayor looks like he’s in control.

52:45 Yakin just misses the top left corner of the net and gets the boom camera. Looks pretty cool from the camera.

51:52 Togo showing composure and collection until Alaixys Romao tackles someone and earns a yellow.

49:41 Barnetta (switz) finishes a three player set up and gets a shot deflected over the keeper.

48:02 Trying to make a turn and send the ball upfield, Kassi Agassa (togo) just slips right out of bounds.

45:22 Togo’s country motto is “Work, Liberty, Homeland.” I find that just slightly less funny than Switzerland’s “All for one, one for all… as long as we can stay neutral and you don’t touch our banks.” And now back to the game.

45:00 Yakin in for Gygax on the Swiss side to start the half.

Halftime: After putting a goal in early, Switzerland has tried to slow the pace of the game down. But they’ve only been marginally successful as Adebayor seems capable of taking just about any two Swiss defenders with his size alone. The Swiss have a 1-0 lead but Togo is putting that in danger every few minutes. I’m thinking they’ll tie it up before too long.

45:00 Swiss player takes a cleat to the foot and sprays some water on it. One minute injury time and the half closes.

43:44 Everytime this game that Adebayor has been involved in a play something good has happened for Togo. Adebayor hasn’t gotten the ball for awhile.

42:23 The swiss “ole” chant is still going strong.

40:48 Kader making some nice runs at the goal. Pfister doing some nice sweating on the sideline.

39:11 Free kick for Togo from midfield and they attack down the middle, Mamam gets a shot off immediately from a long way out.

36:25 Togo gets a great chance but a tackle about two m out prevents the goal and several players hack at the ball with their feet about 3 m from the goal. Switz gets it out and gets a good look off of the counterattack. This up and down play can’t be what Switzerland wants.

34:31 Adebayor tripped up in the box but doesn’t get the call. His reaction probably spends more energy than the fall did, Pfister shows off some of his moves from the sideline.

33:36 There seems to be some Togo royalty in attendane today. Or at least guys with robes and crowns that the camera keeps cutting to.

31:50 Togo: one part brilliance mixed with two parts passes straight out of bounds.

29:25 Adebayor creates a bit of room for his open teammate and the cross is perfect. The intended man misses everything tying to send it towards the goal, but a Togo player is there for the follow. His shot misses, ricochets behind the goal and lodges in the net. Looks exactly like it went in, but no goal.

28:20 And yet there they go, with about 30 midfield passes.

27:32 A couple quick chances have reinvigorated Togo and the Swiss wil have their work cut out for them slowing this game.

26:31 Adebayor delivers the ball to Kader who gets an open shot but a bad angle on the goal, sending it straight into the goalie.

25:12 He plays for Togo, not Switzerland if you were wondering. Adebayor with a sweet pass to the front of the goal.

24:24 Moustapha Salifou is joining the game.

23:00 Togo will not fall for this kind of pace deadening trickery… will they?

20:50 Switzerland has succesfully slowed the game to a snail’s pace to protect their lead.

19:18 Switzerland is offsides and Togo sends the ball back up field and over the sideline.

18:17 Togo is offsides after a free kick at midfield.

15:55 Alexander Frei, standing directly in front of the goal, gets a one touch pass off his knee from a cross and the Swiss have the lead.

15:50 Goal Switzerland!

13:43 Adebayor seems to be asserting himself a little more, but neither Togo nor Swizerland can get much through the defenders. Togo gets a shot but there’s nothing behind it.

12:34 Switzerland’s attack is going to have to do more than just pass around the outside of the goal box. Even Togo can stand in front of the net.

11:15 We get our first Pfister shot and see that today’s wardrobe consists of a pink shirt (thankfully) buttoned up this time.

9:34 Adebayor shows why he’s playing in a major Euro league and beasts two Swiss players. Better timing on the cross might have made it a decent chance.

8:46 Switzerland still looking for their first goal of the tournament.

07:00 Switzerland gets a nice cross and a header straight to the Togo keeper.

05:04 Another long try, this time from Vogel. I think the swiss want to put a quick one in so they can go back to being methodical.
Togo’s Mohamed Kader turns the corner around the Defense and his shot is stopped by the keeper.

03:00 A lot of midfield play so far, Swiss might have the slight advantage. Cabanas for Switzerland comes through with a 35 m shot that Togo’s goalie stretches out and gets.
01:01 Togo’s absorbing nicely after the first play saw them running scared, I’d like to see a 3 goal performance out of them tonight and so far it looks possible.
00:00 We’re underway, and Swiss are applying pressure on the ball right away.

Looks like Togo captain Jean-Paul Abalo has to sit out this game after getting sent off against Korea.

8 mins, looks like Plenty of Swiss fans there today. And we finally get concrete proof that Togo showed up to the game.

10 mins to kick-off, we just got to see some insider footage of Switzerland’s practices. It appears they stretch a lot.

30 mins to kick-off, does anyone have any problems rooting for Togo after the recent walkout of Pfister and the money disputes with the players?

Pregame: Who do you predict will win?

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Sal

Switzerland in a breeze 4-1.
Jon

Swiss 2-0.
AJ

Togo with a miracle win. 2-1 on a 90th minute goal from Adebayor. Yes, I am drinking heavily today :-)
Drunk

I think a draw. Togo looked good against korea and were a bit unlucky i thought and the swiss were worse than france so yea. I hope togo win so they have a chance of going through.
OPKO

What I’d like to see is this group thrown completely into the air…

Right now, with Korea on 4 pts, France on 2, Swtizerland 1, Togo 0.

If Togo wins, it makes for a VERY interesting last day, with both France and Switzerland playing for a win to get them into the second round.
Vincent

That sounds like a good idea to me, I will root for Togo then. Money disputes always make me uneasy. If only I have tha problem. Reminds me of professinal sports in the US (i.e. MLB, NBA, NFL, etc)

GO TOGO!!!!
Aaron

A Swiss win today and then a draw against South Korea. France beats Togo and it comes down to goals difference. That would be exciting.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

If Togo score, we can see their entertaining dance :)
alternababe

I hope Togo wins. And I think they have a good chance at it.
Drunk

That would be interesting if all 4 teams finished on 5 points haha especially if they all had the same goal difference…
ETucker

Aaron-

that would be exciting if France could score goals :)

maybe if Henry finished at the intl level like he did for Arsenal France would have won (he wasted a glorious Zidane chance)
Sal

Can’t root for Togo with their players threatening a walkout. I like underdogs but they should play for pride of country.
AJ

How do those Togo supporters stay alive when they are painted head to toe? Doesn’t your skin need to breathe?
Roland

I don’t like it, but I don’t hold it against the Togo players either. This may be their only chance at financial security in their lifetimes. It’s a shame the real world sometimes intrudes on this great event.

Anyway, I don’t care who wins, but I predict a 1 – 1 final.
ETucker

Players need to eat food and feed families. They have a right to strike for unpaid wages.

An individal Germany player probably gets a larger bonus for making the knockout rounds than the entire Togo team gets for winning the World Cup.
DT

European teams are overrated. Togo and Korea to qualify from this group!
Drunk

ETucker – Yea i almost choked on my breakfast when i saw him poke it straight at the goalie… But that wasnt the only chance wasted.

Here i was thinkin France would be back to a decent level at this world cup guess not
togo fan

GO TOGO!!!! TOGO HAS TO WIN THIS MATCH!!!!!
ETucker

I expect a close game with the Swiss barely winning.

The European teams have looked very impotent in this group…

As a USA fan, I would kill to switch with any one of the teams in this group!
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

For the sake of more variety I wish Togo wins…European football is the most boring.
AJ

Switzerland’s best days are yet to come. They’ll be go when they host the European Championship in 2008.
togo fan

I predict TOGO: SWISS
2:1
ETucker

I understand being host is a big deal…but you still have to have some modicum of talent.

Who are their players in the top leagues?
http://www.atmysports.com jack

is any sure of which team wins???
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

we might have a repeat of Greece winning Euro 2004….and they didn’t even qualify for the WC !!
http://www.atmysports.com jack

is it swiss or togo???
Drunk

I dunno exactly where he plays but i have heard of Frei somewhere before
togo fan

I feel sorry for Togo players getting all mixed up with money situation and having a coach walk out. But their demand for the pay is just unacceptable. The country’s income is way below of what they are demanding.
ETucker

These games between lower tier teams are killing me in my World Cup pool!

Did anyone see the Japan-Croatia game? Pretty exciting for a nil-nil draw….might want to practice finishing for the game in hand
AJ

Frei can play at forward. Philippe Senderos is one of the best young defenders around. Johann Vogel has skill in the midfield. They also have a number of U21 players who will factor in by then.
ETucker

Senderos plays for Arsenal, right?
AJ

Frei plays for Rennes in France. One of the leading scorers in that league.
http://www.atmysports.com jack

atmysports.com predicitions

Swiss 57.14 % as winner
Togo 42.86 % as winner
http://brazil.worldcupblog.org Zé

Funny, both teams’ jerseys are VERY similar.. same logos and swooshes and all. The only thing that changes is the color.
http://www.atmysports.com jack

i wonder if i can see any changes from live bloggin people
AJ

Ze – You’re right. The Poland and Swiss kits look almost exactly alike too.
Roland

Pretty goal.
togo fan

It’s funny how korean are supporting TOGO in this game. They don’t want swiss to win. I think it’s because they have a match with them soon.
AJ

Goal for Frei. Let the onslaught begin.
Sal

Togo will have a tough time playing from behind.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

i hope this goal spurs Togo …they have nothing to lose
togo fan

NO!!!!! Come one togo, don’t give up!!!
Alessandro

Frei isn t a leading scorer in French league he was injured most of the season…
http://www.atmysports.com jack

TOGO, GO FOR A GOAL
Alessandro

Come on Togo, think of all these Euros packed in the Swiss bank !
Pete

Togo isn’t as bad as I expected them to be. I don’t think they’ll win this game but they won’t get destroyed.
ETucker

I used to root for the underdog…until I started betting on sporting events!
ETucker

The Swiss should not be fools and play to win 1-0 with 70 minutes left to play.

This is what bothers me the most about some European play…teams get a 1-0 early lead and stop attacking.
http://www.aresthetics.ch/trav Adrian Wagner

Sha-la-la-la-la! Hopp Schwiiz.

Alex Frei…
Alessandro

nice move!
http://www.atmysports.com jack

is TOGO sponsered by PUMA company???
AJ

ETucker – Betting sure changes the way you look at football. Makes some of these not so interesting games very interesting.
http://www.atmysports.com jack

or PUMA company is from TOGO
Sal

Togo looking good. Didn’t miss by much!
http://www.aresthetics.ch/trav Adrian Wagner

Wonder what’s wrong with Senderos. He already had a glaring mistake in the France game…and now again. And with a keeper like Zubi, you can’t do that.

Speaking of it…that’s a must-get ball for Zubi on this free-kick. And he stays nailed to the ground.
http://www.aresthetics.ch/trav Adrian Wagner

Hm. I’m not happy with this. We were dominating the first 20 minutes. And now that we have a goal we stand back.

Get a second one, for crying out loud.
asiarules

i wonder if switzerland realizes that with a 1-0 win, they’re the odd team out in a 5-5-5-0 scenario
http://www.atmysports.com jack

TOGO needs a goal to keep this match intresting
http://www.aresthetics.ch/trav Adrian Wagner

Hm. Mueller tried to get out of this stupid move. A bit late. Could have been a penalty.
http://www.aresthetics.ch/trav Adrian Wagner

asiarules: I’m sure they know.

Great last second tackle there! That was absolutely necessary.
Sal

Togo looking the better of the teams. Just unlucky in the finish.
AJ

The last day of games in this group is going to be outstanding.
Sal

What is the shot totals? Togo seems to be getting a lot on goal.
norm

If the player from Togo who got tackled in the in front of goal a couple of minutes ago had been playing for Brazil he would have got a penalty kick for sure.
Perry

Pfister’s pink shirt is killing me. I miss his unbuttoned shirt with shark’s tooth chain look from last game.
AJ

Have to say that Togo has been the better tem for most of this half. Swiss took advantage of their chance.
Sal

Good half for Togo.
ETucker

Finishing is one of the most important skills in soccer. I dont buy the “chances” means dominance theory.

A team that can’t finish 10 chances deserves to lose more than a team that creates 1 chance and finishes it.
http://www.atmysports.com jack

smoke break
http://www.atmysports.com jack

can you any bet on TOGO ’s win at this moment???
BOB

right now south korea is tied with switzerland in points and goal differential. Assuming France will beat Togo, they will be fighting for second place
Andres

Hm, just got some feed on this, I’m just wondering if anyone else is having trouble getting the TVU Univision feed, I’ve been *shudder* reduced to watching ESPN2, it’s chilling.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

i think Togo can pull off a draw…they didn’t do all that badly in the first half…sad i won’t be able to stay till the end
http://www.aresthetics.ch/trav Adrian Wagner

Togo had 5 on goal, Switzerland 3. Switzerland had 55% of the ball and 3 corner kicks to 0 by Togo.

Yes, we’re making too many mistakes in the back…but Togo do not have chances as such. They just have would-be-should-be-chances.

But we have to straighten out loosing those balls so early…otherwise they might actually get some real chances.
norm

Gee, I feel for you guys having trouble getting any kind of pictures from the games. I didn’t realize how privaleged we are here in Australia.
Our wonderful ‘multicultural’ TV station SBS has been broadcasting 3 games per night here every night…for free! :)

I am watching while keeping one eye on this blog! :)
http://www.aresthetics.ch/trav Adrian Wagner

Ah, Yakin is coming on.

Haaaaaakan Yakin!
Jason

Bit of a back track here but it should have been a penalty when adebayor was tripped over by that swiss player… looks pretty much like the infamous beckham back heel..
Sal

Yakin is my favorite Swiss player!
AJ

Time for Togo to score. Come on Sparrowhawks, come on
sergio

my god the european teams are all so boring..

i find myself rooting for any non-european team..
Sal

Yakin with a close shot. He can create. Should play more for the Swiss.
oliveskin

anythin for togo to win. better teams, who play better total football shud go thru. unfortunately i think the switz and the french been playing really bad… no life, no spirit, no will to win!
AJ

Sergio – I agree. Teams like Switzerland are just not interesting. Togo at least plays with some style.
ETucker

Even Germany is playing attack minded football this tournament!

No more 1-0 victories like Japan-Korea 2002 (except for the Poles game…but that scoreline is deceptive)
oliveskin

refs shud yellow card time wasters..
sergio

i get the feeling that for togo to win the fifa stars would have to realign themselves….
AJ

1-0 Games

Germany – Poland
England – Paraguay
Sweden – Paraguay
Dutch – Serb
Portugal – Angola
Brazil – Croatia

0-0 Games
France – Switzerlans
Sweden – T&T
Japan – Croatia
Mexico – Angola
AJ

Togo deserves to get paid for their performance today.
sergio

i think the togo players being made to look like villains is pathetic..

all soccer federations get a couple of million irrespective of how poor their countries are.. the togo players are asking for a cut…doesnt seem that crazy.. just because togo is poor they should be happy with $500??

anyways togo’s attack hasn’t looked good latelky..
Sal

Yakin need to play more. He is exciting.
SES

C’mon Togo! They need to attack more in order to not be eliminated.
ETucker

I feel so sorry for Paraguay…an own goal and an 89th minute header.

I really thought the had a legit shot at advancing…
http://beingruthiesmom.blogspot.com Trish

I am just glad Togo actually came to play. Talk about drama, drama!!

I am at work…students are occupied at the moment, had to come get my game fix.
http://beingruthiesmom.blogspot.com Trish

COME ON TOGO!!!!!!!!!!!!
ETucker

Trish- what do you teach?
sergio

both teams are going nowhere..
http://www.atmysports.com jack

we are going nowhere too
Matt

Come on Switzerland!
Matt

GOAL!
Sal

Nice goal. Good effort from Togo but Switzerland is in good position now to advance.
Michelle

GO SWITZERLAND GO!!!
oliveskin

ecuador has been a revelation!!!
SES

Great job, Switzerland.
Jon

For once my prediction looks correct. Check out the second comment. That is mine :-)
norm

GOAL…and Cliche of the day by the tv commentator here…” three minutes to go, perfect swiss timing!”
sergio

the math in this group gets crazee.the way i see it switzerland now will know that with a draw against korea they advance because they have +2 to korea’s +1….

and i would assume france will destroy a demoralized togo.. and go in first in this group… on goal differential…but we shall see
oliveskin

now i believe frace is screwed
sergio

strike that last bit..

if korea or swiss win next match they go first and france would be second…

i was thinking about what would happen with a draw between korea and swiss
SES

Well, since Togo is eliminated, Korea and Swiss are going to battle it out for the top spot. If Korea wins, they could advance into the next round as the top spot in Group G and Swiss would be 2nd.. vice-versa.
http://sports.godblessthefreaks.org Philip

83:51 Switzerland free kick curls about 20 feet over the goal.

I appreciate the liveblogging immensely. But I would suggest that you would do better to reach a worldwide audience by not using prodominently US-and-Britain units of measurement.
Franco

Surely, if France gets knocked out it would be irrepresibly funny.
Jen in Boston

France screwed? If they beat Togo, and Korea beats Switzerland, I think France advances, don’t they?
http://www.atmysports.com jack

is it korea or swiss in second place???
Swiss Fan

WOOOOHHHHOOOO SWITZERLAND!!! THATs WHAT I LIKE TO SEE!
Troy McClure

I’m Troy McClure, you may remember me from such educational films as “Lead Paint: Delicious but Deadly” and “Here Comes the Metric System!”.

Besides, missing by 20 feet sounds more impressive than missing by 6 meters.
http://www.atmysports.com jack

who is the winner in the next mach saudi or ukraine
http://sports.godblessthefreaks.org Philip

Jen: Here’s my interpretation. If France beats Togo they’re on 5 points. All they need, then is:

Either side to win the SUI-KOR game OR
to beat Togo by two goals, which would give them a better GD than Korea, OR
to beat Togo by one goal, scoring three more than each side in a SUI-KOR draw (e.g. if they draw 0-0 and FRA wins 3-2), OR
to beat Togo by one goal, scoring two more than each side in a SUI-KOR draw (e.g. if they draw 0-0 and FRA wins 2-1), AND to win the ensuing drawing of lots between FRA and KOR.

Wild stuff. It would actually be comical to see France eliminated on drawing of lots, and it’s not at all beyond possibility.
http://sports.godblessthefreaks.org Philip

Troy,

Why should people in other countries have to learn another country’s bizarre system just because it “sounds impressive” to certain people who grew up with that bizarre system?
ETucker

I think instead of drawing lots the captains should play rock-paper-scissors.

Of course, Zidane has such a slow first touch he may be penalized for delay of game and get France disqualified.
http://sports.godblessthefreaks.org Philip

SES,

If Korea wins, they could advance into the next round as the top spot in Group G and Swiss would be 2nd.. vice-versa.

Not if France beats Togo — if FRA finishes on five, they finish ahead of the SUI-KOR loser if there is one.
http://www.atmysports.com jack

ok live bloggers meet you at next live match , keep predicting

saudi or ukraine
http://sports.godblessthefreaks.org Philip

ETucker,

They can study up at http://worldrps.com/ (except that their site’s down). I was relieved when I saw that RPS had its own Web site. I’m a pretty big nerd (see above), but I’ll never be as big a nerd as the World Rock Paper Scissors society.
SES

Thanks for the correction, Philip.
SES

The mathematics involved in figuring out who could advance is confusing.
Troy McClure

They shouldn’t. And the country(ies) with the bizarre system should pull it’s head out of it’s kiester and stop being difficult because they’re to lazy to change.
Troy McClure

I didn’t mean to be abrasive, i just watch far too many Simpsons episodes.
Jen in Boston

Thanks, Philip – you’re right – France needs to win, and needs anything but a draw from the Korea-Switzerland game. It just gets very complicated if France wins and Korea and Switzerland tie – then all have 5 points and you start getting into all the goal differential scenarios that make my head spin.

I can see Korea and Switzerland tying. My gut tells me Korea and France will win their respective games and advance, although anything could happen.
pf

For those who could use a hand figuring out who advances or not, fifa has nifty xls that will help you:

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/e/predictor.html

or get it directly here:

http://eur.i1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/i/eu/fifa/p/wcp06.xls

keep in mind that you need to have macros enabled in your excel security settings.
http://sports.godblessthefreaks.org Philip

Troy,

No worries, I need to stop being “that guy” who kills discussion by dragging it off topic. :-)

And i appreciate Matt Groening’s humor, but i’m too uncultured to catch all the references. Maybe my coworker who has every episode on DVD and watches them during breaks will get me caught up one day.
yellow

Togo in world cup = lesson learned for Nigeria and Cameroun. Nigeria and Cameroun if you want African teams in second round — you can’t let teams like Togo qualify from the continent!!!
http://www.worldcupblog.org/daily-wrap-up/june-19-the-daily-world-cup-wrap.html June 19: The Daily World Cup Wrap – FIFA World Cup 2006 – World Cup 2006 Blog

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