Swiss still have point to prove

BAD BERTRICH, Germany, June 14 (Reuters) Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn today said that his young team remained eager to prove themselves after coming close to pulling off a major World Cup upset.

The Swiss managed a creditable 0-0 draw against former world and European champions France yesterday, but could have grabbed all three points with better finishing.

Instead the team were left contemplating a result that extended their 13-year wait for a win over one of Europe's top five soccer nations.

''The team is still a work in progress and we have some way to go,'' Kuhn acknowledged after returning to Switzerland's small spa resort base.

''But certainly the players are still burning to topple one of the top teams and we've also been unbeaten against those teams for quite a while which is a good sign.'' However, it seemed telling that the Swiss celebrated Tuesday's draw with abandon in front of ecstatic flag-waving fans while the French trudged off the pitch in disappointment.

''We celebrated because we were happy with the result but also because we haven't forgotten who France are,'' said midfielder Rafael Wicky.

''There was no need to feel frustrated because we can see the advances we've made. Two years ago we had no chance against the French (losing 3-1 at Euro 2004) and now we've drawn against them three times in a row, so step by step we're getting there.'' Switzerland picked up a couple of injuries during Tuesday's game with left back Ludovic Magnin spraining an ankle and right back Philipp Degen bruising his foot.

Team doctor Rudolf Roder said that Degen was already recovering well though and that Magnin was likely to be fully fit in two or three days.

Switzerland's next Group G match comes against Togo on Monday, followed by a decisive encounter with South Korea four days later.

Reuters SY GC2345