Three Playing for Group G Progress While Togo Play for Pride

South Korea will have to conjure up more of their 2002 magic to pull a last 16 place out of the hat with victory over Switzerland in their Group G crunch match Hanover on Friday.

A comeback win over Togo and a much-acclaimed 1-1 draw with 1998 world champions France could be to no avail because of Switzerland's marginally better goal difference which gives them the luxury of just needing a point from the final group fixture.

If the Koreans lose to the powerful Swiss and France beat trouble-plagued Togo by two clear goals, the surprise 2002 semi-finalists will go out. But a win will see them top the group such are the muddling permutations.

South Korea, who humbled European powerhouses Portugal, Italy and Spain during their glory run four years ago, could still qualify in second place if they draw with Switzerland but the players are refusing to dream that Togo can achieve a result against the fading but still flair-filled French.

Other final-day scenarios could result in the drawing of lots to determine whether France or South Korea progress to the second round but neither side want to rely on lady luck for their World Cup survival.

The Asian flag bearers are hoping that Switzerland might adopt a defensive approach which would play into their hands but their opponents insist they are not crazy enough to set out their stall for a draw.

South Korea determined to go through

"We are determined to defeat Switzerland and go through (to the last 16)," said striker Cho Jae-Jin, whose header across goal set up Park Ji-Sung's dramatic 81st minute equalizer against France. "The Swiss might relax, thinking they just need a draw. It could give us a chance to put them under pressure. We will not need to look at the result of the France-Togo game."

Hakan Yakin made a big impact when he came on as a replacement in the 2-0 triumph over Togo and the attacking midfielder is confident that Switzerland will not underestimate South Korea or play for the draw. "It's definitely an advantage for us now that we don't have to beat South Korea," said Yakin, who is now injury-free after a long spell on the sidelines.

"It could also be dangerous though because the Koreans need to win. It's no good us playing for a draw because we saw during their draw with France how dangerous they can be in the last 10 minutes."

The first ever match between the two countries could develop into a battle of wits between South Korea's coach Dick Advocaat and his opposite number Kobi Kuhn, who have been hailed as tactical geniuses for their match-altering substitutions.

Former champions having to dig deep to progress

Meanwhile France will meet Togo in Cologne without suspended skipper Zinedine Zidane. But keeper Fabien Barthez has urged his teammates to forget about the suspended ZiZou and get on with the job "We can't let his absence get us down, we've got to think about getting a result, think about our game with or without him," said Barthez. "There's no room for feelings like that - it's up to us to adapt."

Despite two lethargic performances to date, the goalkeeper insists France are still on track. "We're still on target to win the World Cup," a bullish Barthez insisted.

France are out to erase the memory of their humiliating title defense when they crashed out in the first round four years ago without scoring a goal, but Barthez said fear of a repeat debacle four years on was not on their minds.

"You should never have fear, you should never have regrets. You don't get small teams in the World Cup anymore, like you had 10 or 20 years ago," said Barthez, "You can't be concerned, you've got to remain confident and think about winning. That's all!"

If France fail to qualify it means the last image of Zidane, who is retiring after the finals, wearing a France shirt was of the player throwing his sweatband down on the ground in frustration at his injury time substitution against South Korea.