2002 FIFA World Cup (tm) Finals - Results & Fixtures - England vs Sweden

2 Jun 2002


England	1 - 1	Sweden
	(HT: 1 - 0)

Game Details
Venue Saitama Stadium 2002	Attendance 52721
Referee Carlos Simon (BRA) Assistant Referees Jorge Oliveira (BRA) Yuri Dupanov (BLR)

Game Events
#	Date	Player	Event	Period	Mins	H/A
1	2 Jun 2002	Sol Campbell	Yellow Card	First Half	12	H
2	2 Jun 2002	Sol Campbell	Goal	First Half	24	H
3	2 Jun 2002	Marcus Allback	Yellow Card	First Half	47	A
4	2 Jun 2002	Magnus Svensson	Player Out	Second Half	11	A
5	2 Jun 2002	Anders Svensson	Substitute In	Second Half	11	A
6	2 Jun 2002	Niclas Alexandersson	Goal	Second Half	14	A
7	2 Jun 2002	David Beckham	Player Out	Second Half	18	H
8	2 Jun 2002	Kieron Dyer	Substitute In	Second Half	18	H
9	2 Jun 2002	Andreas Jakobsson	Yellow Card	Second Half	28	A
10	2 Jun 2002	Darius Vassell	Player Out	Second Half	29	H
11	2 Jun 2002	Joe Cole	Substitute In	Second Half	29	H
12	2 Jun 2002	Marcus Allback	Player Out	Second Half	35	A
13	2 Jun 2002	Andreas Andersson	Substitute In	Second Half	35	A

Match report

England's World Cup campaign got off to a faltering start with a 1-1 draw against Sweden in the 'Group of Death'. Swedish midfielder Niclas Alexandersson's second-half strike cancelled out a 24th-minute headed goal by England defender Sol Campbell at the Saitama Stadium. England finished the game on the back foot and only some fine goalkeeping from David Seaman kept Sven-Goran Eriksson's side in the match. Henrik Larsson squandered a chance to win the game in the dying moments when he hooked a shot across the face of goal.
"It was a fair result but we could have scored a second goal in the first half and won the game in that way. But Sweden played well in the second," Eriksson said.
Sweden - unbeaten against England since 1968 - earned a share of the Group F points after a terrible blunder by Leeds defender Danny Mills on 58 minutes. A speculative long ball from Sweden's Tobias Linderoth fell to Mills in the English penalty area, who tried to chest the ball back to keeper Seaman under pressure from Larsson. The ball was scrambled clear only as far as Alexandersson, who took his chance with aplomb, curling a shot beyond Seaman from the edge of the area. Eriksson refused to blame Mills for the mistake that led to the goal.
"Of course, that was a pity but in football that happens sometimes," he said.
In their second match on Friday England face Argentina, now in a strong position after defeating Nigeria earlier.
"Both the games are very important and very difficult," Eriksson said of the challenges ahead.
Sweden almost took the lead straight after their equaliser but Teddy Lucic's volley was superbly saved by Seaman, getting down smartly to save. The sight of returning England captain David Beckham being substituted in the 64th minute encouraged the Swedes further and Seaman again was forced to pull off a fine save from Lucic. A lovely through-ball from Larsson put Lucic clean through on goal, but Seaman came off his line swiftly and showed great reflexes to block the advancing Swede's effort. The Swedish onslaught continued and England's previously compact display looked in danger of unravelling. In attack England were unable to unleash star striker Michael Owen, well shackled by the Swedish defence. England's most effective attacker was Darius Vassell, who troubled the Swedes with his pace until being substituted for Joe Cole midway through the second half. The first half's only goal came after a promising build-up involving England fullback Ashley Cole ended with Sweden conceding a corner away on the left. From the resulting set-piece Beckham swung a perfectly flighted ball into the six-yard area and Campbell soared above the Swedish defence to power a firm header home. Sweden, missing captain and influential defender Patrik Andersson, managed only a handful of shots on goal in the first period, none of which threatened Seaman.
A free-kick from Larsson went sailing well wide and two shots from Marcus Allback failed to trouble David Seaman. Campbell meanwhile had earlier got himself booked by Brazilian referee Carlos Simon for a late challenge on Larsson. On the stroke of half-time Marcus Allback also earned a yellow for dissent. Andreas Jakobsson also went into Simon's book in the second half.

(courtesy of dailysoccer)




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Page created by Christakis Ioannou on 2 June 2002 19:22:09.