Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin insists there are no weak teams in the knockout phase of the World Cup - but admits that maxim applies equally to last 16 opponents Switzerland as his own side ahead of Monday's meeting in Cologne.

Ukraine are playing at the World Cup for the first time since the break-up of the Soviet Union for which Blokhin, with the possible exception of legendary 1960s era goalkeeper Lev Yashin, was the greatest ever star.

However, in Switzerland, the Ukrainians are playing a team been absent from the big stage since 1994 in what is arguably the only last 16 match without at least one of world football's heavyweight sides playing in it.

As far as Blokhin is concerned, Switzerland are no lightweights with the coach adding: "The Swiss team are a very good team and have some very good players and they got through the group round without any problem at all.

"Any team that qualifies for the last 16 of the World Cup is by definition a good team," added Blokhin.

Ukraine's biggest dilemma is in defence where two players - Andriy Rusol and Vyacheslav Sviderskyi - are suspended after picking up two cautions each in the group phase.

Vladimir Yezerski, another defender, is carrying an injury and Blokhin will wait as late as possible before naming his replacement.

The 1975 European footballer of the year said: "The physical problems in the team are still unchanged.

"I have still to decide what I am going to do about central defence - there is still a day to go before I have to make my mind up. I have not decided."

Ukraine were the first European team to qualify for the World Cup with a superb qualification campaign in a very difficult group including European champions Greece, 2002 World Cup bronze medalists Turkey and Denmark - none of whom managed to get to Germany even via the play-offs where Turkey, ironically, were eliminated by the Swiss.

However, the start to their campaign in Germany was poor as they were on the receiving end of a 4-0 thrashing from Spain before recovering with victories over Saudi Arabia and Tunisia to set up the clash with Group G winners Switzerland.

Blokhin was giving little away in his short press conference which had no official translation.

Asked his team would handle the threat from a Swiss team yet to concede a goal in the tournament, Blokhin said: "I am not going to tell you that. No coach in the world would tell you that."

In Andriy Shevchenko and Andriy Voronin, however, the Ukrainians have a strong striking partnership and with Switzerland's defence depleted by the absence of Philippe Senderos, Blokhin's players will be hoping to be the first to beat Switzerland goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuhler.