Post by Zig on Oct 7, 2005 14:52:55 GMT -5
Larsson launches final offensive
Henrik Larsson has promised Sweden fans that Lars Lagerbäck's team will go all out for the victory they need to guarantee their place at next summer's FIFA World Cup finals when they tackle Croatia on Saturday.
Draw sufficient
With two matches left, Sweden lead Group 8 by one point from Zlatko Kranjèar's Croatia, meaning a draw in Zagreb would be enough for them to qualify providing they beat Nordic rivals Iceland in their final game next Wednesday.
No quarter
However, the FC Barcelona striker insists his side are aiming to seal qualification this weekend, telling uefa.com: "There are some teams in our position who might go into this game with a defensive attitude because a draw isn't a bad result, but that isn't us and I don't think we could set out to play that way.
Established style
"Over the last few years we have developed a style of play that is quite attacking and most of the guys have come into the squad with that system already in place," he added. "It's been good for us and it's what we know. The best way to play football is to do what you know best, so I'm sure you'll see us trying to attack on Saturday. We've got a great defence and that does give us the freedom to go forward."
Croatian taunts
Croatia inflicted Sweden's only defeat of their Group 8 campaign 13 months ago, beating the home side 1-0 in Gothenburg. In the run-up to the return fixture, Kranjèar has boasted that his players will once more "tame the three devils" of Larsson, Fredrik Ljungberg and Zlatan Ibrahimovic - if the Juventus FC striker is passed fit to play.
Enormous respect
Former Celtic FC forward Larsson is sure Croatia will again prove difficult opponents. He said: "We respect our opponents a great deal and we know this is going to be possibly the toughest match we have played since [UEFA] EURO 2004. Obviously Croatia are the only team to beat us but that won't be on our minds this weekend. That was a very different game, right at the start of the qualifying tournament.
Huge significance
"You can bet Croatia are going to come out strong and attack from the start so we need to weather that and work hard for each other," the 34-year-old continued. "They have a good attack and a solid defence so we have to be patient and play intelligently. There is a lot at stake and you can be sure every Swedish player is eager to do his bit. We have great belief in ourselves and believe we have a game that is good enough to win this match if we play at our highest level. It will be more like a finals match than a group match. It is that important."
Henrik Larsson has promised Sweden fans that Lars Lagerbäck's team will go all out for the victory they need to guarantee their place at next summer's FIFA World Cup finals when they tackle Croatia on Saturday.
Draw sufficient
With two matches left, Sweden lead Group 8 by one point from Zlatko Kranjèar's Croatia, meaning a draw in Zagreb would be enough for them to qualify providing they beat Nordic rivals Iceland in their final game next Wednesday.
No quarter
However, the FC Barcelona striker insists his side are aiming to seal qualification this weekend, telling uefa.com: "There are some teams in our position who might go into this game with a defensive attitude because a draw isn't a bad result, but that isn't us and I don't think we could set out to play that way.
Established style
"Over the last few years we have developed a style of play that is quite attacking and most of the guys have come into the squad with that system already in place," he added. "It's been good for us and it's what we know. The best way to play football is to do what you know best, so I'm sure you'll see us trying to attack on Saturday. We've got a great defence and that does give us the freedom to go forward."
Croatian taunts
Croatia inflicted Sweden's only defeat of their Group 8 campaign 13 months ago, beating the home side 1-0 in Gothenburg. In the run-up to the return fixture, Kranjèar has boasted that his players will once more "tame the three devils" of Larsson, Fredrik Ljungberg and Zlatan Ibrahimovic - if the Juventus FC striker is passed fit to play.
Enormous respect
Former Celtic FC forward Larsson is sure Croatia will again prove difficult opponents. He said: "We respect our opponents a great deal and we know this is going to be possibly the toughest match we have played since [UEFA] EURO 2004. Obviously Croatia are the only team to beat us but that won't be on our minds this weekend. That was a very different game, right at the start of the qualifying tournament.
Huge significance
"You can bet Croatia are going to come out strong and attack from the start so we need to weather that and work hard for each other," the 34-year-old continued. "They have a good attack and a solid defence so we have to be patient and play intelligently. There is a lot at stake and you can be sure every Swedish player is eager to do his bit. We have great belief in ourselves and believe we have a game that is good enough to win this match if we play at our highest level. It will be more like a finals match than a group match. It is that important."
I was too depressed....I even don't know if I should watch the match today, cause one channel is showing.. 
