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Frei targets Swiss progress

Image: Frei: Hoping to be fit

Alexander Frei believes Switzerland should be setting their sights on the second round of the World Cup.

Strike ace looking to reach at least the second round

Alexander Frei believes Switzerland should be setting their sights on the second round of the World Cup. Ottmar Hitzfeld's side are set to get their Group H campaign underway on Wednesday, with European champions Spain set to be their opening opponents. Frei, who is hoping to shake off a knock in time to feature in the crunch clash, accepts that little will be expected of the Swiss in South Africa this summer. However, the experienced striker is confident they can spring an upset or two and make their way into the knockout stages. "Switzerland are never the favourites in tournaments like the World Cup," he said. "But we can become what the favourites are afraid of. Our goal is to reach the second stage of the tournament." On his chances of facing Spain, Frei added: "I want to recover from the ankle injury that I got in the last raining session in Switzerland before leaving for South Africa. "After that, let us take everything step by step, game by game. Whenever I enter the pitch I will be looking to win."

Desire

Diego Benaglio, who is expected to form the last line of defence for Switzerland, has echoed the sentiments of his national skipper and believes Hitzfeld's men can make their mark at the World Cup. "We can say it is a success for a country like Switzerland to be part of the tournament," he said. "But we are not here just to take part. We want to qualify for the second stage." Benaglio admits that Spain will provide fearsome opposition in their opening game, but has faith in Switzerland's ability to nullify the best in the business. "Spain are a team that is considered most likely to win the World Cup," added the Wolfsburg keeper. "They are strong in attack, they play very fast and if you let them play they are almost unbeatable. This means we must be very well organised and defend to a high level."

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