SOCCER: Switzerland look to fine-tune after edging Canada to top Group B at World Cup

VANCOUVER — Switzerland will use their seven-day break before the World Cup Round of 32 to regroup and focus on fine details, coach Murat Yakin said Wednesday after his side’s 2-1 win over co-host Canada secured top spot in Group B.

Second-half goals from Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi earned Switzerland the victory and a place in the knockout stage as group winners, while Canada also advanced as runners-up.

The result left Switzerland on seven points and ensured they will remain in Vancouver for their Round of 32 match.

“Now we have more rest days and we can recover for a longer time,” Yakin told reporters. “Hopefully we can really work on the details. We can regroup, refocus, organize better, and look at the nuts and bolts.

“It is also very important for us as a staff because we need that time, and we will know the next opponent in a couple of days.”

After a subdued first half, Switzerland took control immediately after the restart. Vargas scored within a minute of the second half before Manzambi doubled the lead 11 minutes later.

Canada pressed late in a frantic finish at a packed BC Place, where a largely home crowd roared the team on, but goalkeeper Gregor Kobel produced a series of key saves to preserve the win.

Switzerland will return to their World Cup training base in San Diego during the break to recover and prepare for the knockout stage.

“It’s not going to be completely free time,” Yakin added. “First, we will travel back tomorrow. We will enjoy the win and spend time with family and friends in San Diego. We love being there.

“We will stay there, calm down, and recover because the pressure was immense at the start of the tournament. We needed to win, and now we have delivered as a team. I think we deserve to be where we are right now.” -Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Vancouver;Editing by Chrsitian Radnedge/Reuters