South Korea ran and attacked as much as it could.

It was not enough for the 2002 semifinalist, which was bounced from the World Cup after a 2-0 loss to Switzerland.

A South Korea player reacts as Switzerland players celebrate after their Group G World Cup 2006 soccer in Hanover June 23, 2006.[Reuters]

After notching its first ever World Cup victory on foreign soil against Togo and holding France to a draw, South Korea couldn't solve a tough Swiss defense that put its excellent 2006 run to an end.

"The Swiss controlled the first half. But we played better in the second half. We pressed them more," coach Dick Advocaat said after the match. "We were very close. South Koreans can be very proud of this team."

The Dutchman started the game knowing that South Korea would need a victory to advance to the second round if France managed to get by Togo.

"We should be ashamed to lose," he said. "But more the way we lost because in the second half we deserved at least a draw."

Advocaat started the match with four strikers and took out defender Lee Young-pyo in the 63rd minute for yet another forward in Ahn Jung-hwan.

But the team's record of never qualifying for the second round in a World Cup outside of Asia remained intact.

"Starting with four strikers at the international level is very dangerous. But we knew we needed a victory. So we tried everything we could," Advocaat's assistant Pim Verbeek said. "It didn't work out. That's the way it is."

Korean midfielder Park Ji-sung said he felt a sense of urgency in the team.

"Our players had a bit of pressure. Mentally we knew we had to win this match. That's why we didn't play very well," the Manchester United star said.

The Koreans complained about the refereeing in the game. They felt a penalty should have been awarded for a handball in the box in the first half and were upset that Alexander Frei was not ruled offside on Switzerland's second goal.

"Our people said it was clearly a penalty. He hindered our guy," Advocaat said of the first call. "But I didn't see it. And I guess that happens sometimes."

Defender Lee Young-pyo was confused about Frei's goal.

"That was very strange. You can argue the second goal. The linesman put up the flag," Lee said.

Verbeek said his players didn't act professionally in the situation.

"You shouldn't stop until you hear the whistle," Verbeek said.