Kallstrom: Sweden must beat England
Reuters - Tuesday 12 June 2012, 13:00
Sweden midfielder Kim Kallstrom
believes defeat by Ukraine in their Euro 2012 Group D opener
means their only hope of progressing hinges on beating England
on Friday.
"That is really our only chance of going further, I
believe," he told a news conference on Tuesday. "We haven't got
a lot left to lose anymore. Our joker is already gone. If you
want to progress it's about winning matches."
"It's about stepping up now and hoping that we're more
effective in front of goal. Then it can go well."
Kallstrom was addressing a muted news conference at the
Swedish team's base on the outskirts of Kiev, the day after they
had allowed Ukraine to come from a goal down to win 2-1.
The defeat left Sweden at the foot of the table behind
France and England, who drew 1-1 in the other Group D game.
"The players must grieve today and I will too, but tomorrow
we start with new thoughts and concentrate on England," coach
Erik Hamren said.
After a poor first half, the Swedes took the lead shortly
after half-time through their captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but two
headed goals from Andriy Shevchenko gave the hosts victory.
Johan Elmander and Olof Mellberg missed great chances to
equalise late on.
"I think we are worthy of at least a draw, but we leave
there without a point. It's a tough day and it should be," said
Hamren.
"It's small situations that decide if we lose the game
yesterday or not," he added.
There were few signs of the free-flowing football Sweden had
played in winning all four of their matches this year.
"The man in possession of the ball had too few
alternatives. That's what I brought up at half-time," said
Hamren. "The man in possession saw mostly backs, there were very
few who wanted the ball."
Hamren said at the post-match news conference that his
players had "lacked courage and been a little cowardly".
"We will obviously have to show more [courage] against
England," midfielder Rasmus Elm said. "Yesterday there was maybe
a little too much uncertainty.
"It doesn't sound like Erik to use the word 'cowards' but I
think we need to step up and show that we want it. If we do
that, we can beat England."