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| June 12, 2006 | Monday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 15, 1427 |
Sweden rue missing open goals
DORTMUND, June 11: Sweden rued wasting a hatful of chances during their surprise 0-0 draw with World Cup Group B outsiders Trinidad & Tobago on Saturday, according to midfielder Kim Kallstrom.
“We had three, four, five completely open goals but could not score,” said Kallstrom, who came on in a double substitution with 12 minutes left.
“It was tough and it will be even tougher now. We will work very hard to win our next match,” he told reporters.
Sweden's next game is on Thursday against Paraguay, who lost 1-0 to group leaders England earlier in the day.
Coach Lars Lagerback heaped praise on Trinidad's 37-year-old goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, only playing because Kelvin Jack was injured in the warm-up.
“It was a disappointment, of course, we couldn't score,” said Lagerback. “Their goalkeeper made some great saves.
“We were much better (than Trinidad) but they have some skill and defended very well. We played a very good game.”
Midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson said: “I don't know what it was, we had a lot of chances. It's frustrating.”
Sweden now need maximum points against Paraguay in Berlin, said Lagerback.
“Paraguay played a good game (against England) but we now need to beat them.”
Trinidad coach Leo Beenhakker was happy his team battled until the end after defender Avery John was sent off for a second caution a minute after halftime.
“They (Sweden) have a little bit more talent than we have but we never stopped fighting and stayed alive till the end,”
said the Dutchman.
“I recognise the better chances went to Sweden. If you see their front line they have guys who play for Juventus, Anderlecht and Arsenal. We have guys who play for the smaller clubs in England.”
With his side down to 10 men, Beenhakker caused a surprise by bringing on Cornell Glen for fellow striker Collin Samuel after 53 minutes.
“When a defender is sent off everyone expects you to bring on another defender. It was amazing it worked,” he said.
Teams:
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: 1-Shaka Hislop; 8-Cyd Gray, 6-Dennis Lawrence, 5-Brent Sancho, 3-Avery John; 11-Carlos Edwards, 12-Collin Samuel (13-Cornell Glen (52)), 7-Christopher Birchall, 19-Dwight Yorke (c), 18-Densill Theobald (9-Aurtis Whitley (66)); 14-Stern John.
SWEDEN: 23-Rami Shaaban; 7-Niclas Alexandersson, 3-Olof Mellberg (c), 4-Teddy Lucic, 5-Erik Edman; 21-Christian Wilhelmsson (18-Mattias Jonson (78)), 6-Tobias Linderoth (16-Kim Kaellstroem (78)), 8-Anders Svensson (20-Marcus Allbaeck (62)), 9-Fredrik Ljungberg; 11-Henrik Larsson, 10-Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Referee: Shamsul Maidin (Singapore).—Reuters
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