Sweden say won't play for Argentina draw-coach

June 9, 2002

MAIKO, Japan (Reuters) - Sweden will not be playing for a draw in their final group F game against Argentina even though that is all they need to reach the second round, Swedish coach Lars Lagerback said.

But he added that they would have to remain strong in defence to hold off the pre-tournament favourites, who will be desperate to give their crisis-hit nation something to cheer about.

England's surprise 1-0 win over Argentina on Friday has left the South Americans needing to beat Sweden to be sure of a place in the next round.

Sweden, with four points in the bag after drawing with England in their first game and beating Nigeria 2-1 on Friday, need just one more point to book their second round passage.

"Of course, a draw is enough for us but we're not good in playing that way," Lagerback told Reuters.

"What we will try to do of course is to be very solid in our defence, but we always try to play our own game and stick to the way of playing we always do."

Sweden will be hoping for a defensive boost from the return of injured captain Patrik Andersson, who has missed the opening two games with a groin strain.

Lagerback said Andersson was still undergoing rehabilitation training and would not train with the team on Saturday.

The coach was more optimistic over Patrik's brother Daniel, who is expected to be back in training soon after aggravating a thigh problem before the Nigeria game.

Lagerback said he had seen few weaknesses in the Argentine team, despite a loss to England in which they dominated possession but failed to make - or convert - chances.

"The Argentines showed yesterday that they are a really good team. I think in the second half the play was almost all against one goal," he said.

Lagerback admitted that England's victory had not been the best result for Sweden, who could now face a backlash from one of the most talented teams in the world.

One glimmer of hope for Sweden, he said, was the fact that the Argentines have struggled to find their scoring touch. They won their opener against Nigeria 1-0, but wasted the few genuine chances that came their way against an inspired England.

In contrast, Sweden's attacking play, built around attacking midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg and striker Henrik Larsson, has looked increasingly fluent, with Larsson netting both of their goals against Nigeria.

"The only thing you can say (about Argentina) is that they've only scored once in two games so maybe they are a little bit down in that respect," Lagerback said. "Otherwise they played a marvellous game. They had 65 percent of the possession."

Lagerback will be hoping that his forwards will be able to use their pace to create as many problems for Argentina's defence as England's lightning fast striker Michael Owen did on Friday.

"Henrik creates problems for any team he plays against. It's a new game and we'll just have to wait and see."