Blokhin is in a critical situation as he enters the round of 16 encounter without central defenders Andrei Rusol and Viacheslav Sviderski, both serving an automatic one-game suspension.

"I have still to decide what I am going to do about my central defense, there's still a day to go before I make up my mind, I've not decided," Blokhin was quoted as saying.

Switzerland went on the tournament as an underdog team, but after winning their group above France, Blokhin said that they deserve all the respect for their performances.

"Switzerland are very good team and have some good players, they got through the group without any problems at all," he said.

"Any team that qualifies for the last 16 of the world cup is by definition a good team."

But the Ukrainian boss, who took his country to the World Cup for the first time, still eyes a more advanced place in the global showpiece.

"Our goal was always the Round of 16, and we're in the Round of 16. We've achieved our first target. Now let's wait and see."