Switzerland v Togo

I can't say I was glued to my screen for this game, since I really doubted Togo was going anywhere this tournament, and the Swiss just annoy me. Togo's first game was overshadowed by players skipping practice, and the coach quitting and coming back just before the game, and the run-up to this one wasn't any more stable. The players threatened to not show up for the game unless their outrageous demands for compensation were met by the Togolese FA, until FIFA stepped in to mediate somehow. (I wouldn't put it past FIFA to have sent Michel Platini in with a suitcase of cash.) The US had the same problem between our players and the FA, but it was settled before qualifying started.

Anyways, the Swiss took control with a cross from Magnin to Tranquillo Barnetta on the far post, who squared it back to Alexander Frei for the goal. I keep wanting to call Alexander Frei "Sebastian", which makes me wonder, what ever happened to Sebastian Frey? Especially since France could really use a keeper who causes fewer spikes in the heart attack rate in the Republic of France.

The big play from this game though was the clear penalty that should have gone to Emmanuel Adebayor in the 35th minute. Adebayor was neck and neck with Patrick Mueller going into the box on the left, and then Adebayor cuts back and Mueller overruns him. With his back turned and Adebayor about to put him on the highlight reel, Mueller sticks his leg straight out behind him, tripping Adebayor. No call. Certainly a dickhead move by Mueller, though.

The rest of the game, the Togolese were too slow in hitting back at the Swiss, allowing them to get organized on defense, and really showed some serious offensive breakdowns in keeping the ball moving versus going for individual glory, which is becoming a cliche for the Africans. In the 88th minute, Tranquillo Barnetta ices it for Switzerland with a long shot on a decidedly quicker counterattack.

Just in case Mueller and the game against France hadn't convinced the world what a bunch of jackasses die Eidgennossen were, in stoppage time Johann Vogel is called for a foul, grabs the ball and starts walking away like he thinks he's some spoiled kid in the park, to keep the Togolese from taking the kick and waste time. That got him a yellow card for the whole 5 seconds he shaved off the clock with a 2-0 lead. Out of a population of 7.5 million they couldn't find 23 guys who weren't assholes? "2006 - It's Swiss O'Clock!" just means it's just time for the Ukraine to take out the trash.

Switzerland 2-0 Togo
'16 Frei
'88 Barnetta