Sweden seek win over Mexico with off-field issues behind them
Sweden has moved on from the off-field issues that dominated the headlines after its defeat by Germany and is determined to beat Mexico for a place in the last 16, coach Janne Andersson said on Tuesday.
By : migrator
Update: 2018-06-26 14:32 GMT
Moscow
The Scandinavians conceded a goal in the 95th minute in its Group F match on Saturday, with winger Jimmy Durmaz later subjected to racial abuse on social media for giving away the free kick that led to Toni Kroos’s goal.
Sweden was also incensed by the reaction of two German team officials to the goal, accusing them of “rubbing it in”. FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against the pair.
“We are coming into tomorrow’s game expecting to perform at the top level. We have everything to gain and we are mentally strong ahead of the match,” Andersson told a news conference.
“We have a good feeling within the squad. We showed that we were able to play against the defending champions all the way with the exception of the final few minutes.”
Sweden, which has rallied behind Durmaz, can qualify with a victory or a draw against Mexico if Germany loses to South Korea. If Sweden and Germany both win, Andersson’s team could advance on goal difference.
However, the 55-year-old coach is not taking Mexico lightly, with “El Tri” having already beaten Germany and South Korea.
“They are a good team and we have great respect for them,” Andersson added.
“They have a lot of skilled players in the team and are technically gifted. But we’re well prepared and we will do everything to get the result we need.”
Andersson said that set-pieces could play an important role for Sweden on Wednesday.
“Let’s hope the height of the players will play a part because we’re good in those situations,” Andersson said, adding that he may not make too many changes to the team that started the last match.
“We showed in the matches against South Korea and Germany that we’re very good at set-pieces, both in attack and defence,” skipper Andreas Granqvist added.
“I think that’s going to be a big component tomorrow.”
- Mexico only needs a draw against Sweden to seal its qualification for the round of 16 for the seventh tournament in a row.
- Mexico could potentially be eliminated if it was to lose to Sweden and Germany were to beat South Korea, based on either goal difference, goals scored or fair play points
- Its 2-1 victory over South Korea on Saturday gave it back-to-back wins at a World Cup for the first time since 2002
- Sweden has not defeated a North or Central American nation since its home World Cup in 1958, when it beat Mexico
- Previous meetings: The two sides have met on nine previous occasions, with Sweden getting the better of Mexico four times. The only World Cup tie between the sides took place in 1958 in Sweden, when the home side won 3-0
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