Soccer: World Cup

06:51 PM CDT on Friday, June 23, 2006

Associated Press

HANOVER, Germany – It's been so long since the Swiss reached the second round at the World Cup, their fans didn't want to go home.

Thousands remained in Hanover's World Cup stadium for nearly an hour after their team left the field following a 2-0 victory over South Korea, waving flags, singing, chanting and some joining in a conga line through the upper deck.

They only left when security ushered them out, but surely would be partying through the night.

The victory sent the Swiss, absent from soccer's biggest show for 12 years, into the second round as the Group G winner. The loss sent the 2002 semifinalists back to South Korea and eliminated the last Asian hopeful.

"We deservedly won and now we're proud to be in the top 16 in the world," said striker Alexander Frei, who scored one of the two goals. "The team's goal was achieved. Everything else from here is extra."

Philippe Senderos headed in Hakan Yakin's free kick in the 23rd minute, and Frei added a disputed goal in the 77th to earn a match against Ukraine on Monday in Cologne.

The South Koreans return home, unable to prove to skeptics that their stunning run to the final four at home in 2002 wasn't due to the home-field advantage.

"We have no regrets," midfielder Park Ji-sung said. "From now on, Korean soccer needs to be developed more and more."

The Swiss even shed some blood in the victory. Senderos' follow-through on his header struck defender Choi Jin-cheul in the face, opening cuts on the faces of both.

Senderos came to the touchline to celebrate his goal with blood streaming down his nose from a cut between his eyes, while Choi was left with a cut above his right eye.

Both needed attention to close the wounds and returned five minutes later, Choi with a hairnet-like cap. Senderos was forced out of the game in the 51st with a dislocated shoulder after falling on his right arm in a clash with Cho Jae-jin. Swiss coach Koebi Kuhn said Senderos will miss the Ukraine match.

Needing a victory to assure their advancement and eager to legitimize their 2002 showing, South Korea inserted Park Chu-young as essentially a fourth attacker, leaving Lee Young-pyo and Lee Ho alone in midfield.

The plan worked initially with a third-minute opportunity when Lee Chun-soo got to a through ball near the end line, but his pass back across the goal could not find Park Ji-sung.

Within 10 minutes though, the Swiss were able to take control.

As South Korea's defense became more desperate, Park pulled down Tranquillo Barnetta at the top of the South Korean defensive third, drawing a yellow card and giving the Swiss a free kick.

Yakin, chosen for the Swiss side only after striker Johan Vonlanthen was injured, curled a left-footed drive from 35 yards, where Senderos ran on to it and drove it past goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae.

South Korea coach Dick Advocaat still tried to find the combination to spark his side.

The Koreans created several chances, one of which Swiss goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuehler had to push over the crossbar when Cho bounced a header off a corner kick in the 66th minute.

But the push forward made South Korea vulnerable to counters, and Frei finally converted in the 71st to ensure the Swiss victory and end South Korea's hopes.

"They controlled the first half. We tried to make things difficult for them with five to six strikers and gave them a lot of pressure," Advocaat said. "We started with four strikers, and at the international level, that's quite dangerous. And that allowed them to play how they did and they kept attacking on counters."

South Korea, which had never won a World Cup game outside of Asia until a 2-1 victory over Togo on June 13 in Frankfurt, finished third behind France, which beat Togo 2-0 in Cologne.

France will face Spain in Hanover on Tuesday.

Switzerland was the only team to finish the first round without allowing a goal.

"We're proud we didn't give up a goal, Zuberbuehler said. "It's fun playing with this team. We fought defensively all together."

Ukraine, which recovered from a 4-0 beating by Spain in its opening game to advance to the second round, will be a new test for the Swiss.

"We know it's possible to go another round. And we feel like doing it," said Kuhn, who celebrated his 50th game in charge of the Swiss. "I'd rather have the three points than the cake."