Source: Xinhua

06-08-2008 10:21

Special Report:   2008 European Championships

BASEL, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Switzerland coach Jakob Kuhn kept positive after the co-hosts' 1-0 defeat and a double piece of bad luck to lose top scorer Alexander Frei in the Euro 2008 curtain-raising match against the Czech here on Saturday.

"Our chances of going through have certainly not increased but we still believe," said "Kobi" Kuhn, who was proud of his players and satisfied with the process.

A 71-minute Vaclav Sverkos goal handed the home side the heartbroken loss in Group A opener, as Switzerland could only rattle the crossbar late on through Johan Vonlanthen.

The defeat at St Jakob-Park leaves Switzerland to face a tough task to make through to the knockout stage of last eight from a group also containing Portugal and Turkey.

Kuhn, however, remained optimistic.

"I told them they can leave the stadium with their heads held high," he said. "Now we have to forget about this game and concentrate on the next match, against Turkey."

"Everything is still possible and we are not going to give up. We must build on what we did here today," added Kuhn.

Switzerland will next play Turkey on Wednesday before facing Portugal in their final group game on 15th June.

 

Editor:Xiong Qu