World Cup Qualifying Preview: Sweden – Albania

Sweden will be eager to end their qualification campaign with a win against Albania, as they still have a minor chance to make it to South Africa.

Oct 12, 2009 5:25:11 PM

Euro 2008: Sweden, Henrik Larsson (PA)
Kick-Off: Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 20.45 GMT,
Rasunda Stadium, Stockholm, Sweden

Sweden host Albania in their final 2010 World Cup qualifier knowing that they can only hope that the Portuguese fail to beat Malta.

The Swedes ruined their chances of making it to South Africa by losing last Saturday’s crucial qualifier against Denmark 1-0. Even though they still have a small chance of qualifying for South Africa, national team coach Lars Lagerback and legendary forward Henrik Larsson have already thrown the towel by announcing that the game against Albania will be their last for Sweden.

“Assistant coach Roland Andersson and I will resign depending on the result. Whether it be after the World Cup, after the play-offs, or after our final match against Albania,” Lagerback was quoted as saying at a press conference.

"It's probably over now. I feel that there will be no World Cup for me, even if we do qualify. I'm 38-years-old now and I no longer have the motivation to play for Sweden after the match against Albania. It's time to make way for other attackers,” announced Larsson.


Albania have nothing left to play for in Group 1. They currently sit fifth in the table with seven points from nine matches. Their last victory in an official match goes back to September 10, 2008 when they beat Malta 3-0.

However, they recently beat Cyprus 6-1 in an international friendly and head coach Josip Kuze, who replaced Arie Haan as Albania's national team coach in April 2009, will be more than happy to pick up another good result on Wednesday.  

FORM GUIDE

Sweden

10 October (WCQ) Denmark 1-0 Sweden
09 September (WCQ) Malta 0-1 Sweden
05 September (WCQ) Hungary 1-2 Sweden
12 August 12 (Friendly) Sweden 1-0 Finland
06 June 6 (WCQ) Denmark 1-0 Sweden

Albania

09 September (WCQ) Albania 1-1 Denmark
12 August (Friendly) Albania 6-1 Cyprus
07 June (WCQ) Albania 1-2 Portugal
01 April (WCQ) Denmark 3-0 Albania
28 March (WCQ) Albania 0-1 Hungary

TEAM NEWS

Sweden

Head coach Lars Lagerback will be quite happy to see attackers Johan Elmander and Markus Rosenberg return to the squad after a lay-off due to injury.

Additionally, midfielders Viktor Elm and Daniel Andersson have also returned to the Sweden squad after recovering from their respective injuries.

Last Starting XI (vs. Denmark, 10 October): Isaksson; Nilsson, Mellberg, Majstorovic, Safari; R. Elm, Svensson, Kallstrom, Holmen; Ibrahimovic, H. Larsson.

Albania

Head coach Josip Kuze will field a defensive 4-4-1-1 formation or a more conventional 4-4-2 formation. Either way, Lorik Cana and Erjun Bogdani will be the key players for Albania on Wednesday.

Last Starting XI (vs. Denmark, 9 September): Ujkani; Begiri, Dallku, Cana, Curri; Bulku, Agolli, Skela, Duro; Bogdani, Salihi

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sweden – Henrik Larsson

The veteran forward recently announced his international retirement after Wednesday’s game. Larsson will be eager to end his Sweden career in style by adding his name to the score-sheet against Albania.

Albania – Lorik Cana

Sunderland star Lorik Cana is far and away the one player that is capable of leading his side to glory. The highly rated holding midfielder will be tested on many occasions against the Swedes. His determination and superb tackling could provide a stern challenge for Sweden.

PREDICTION

Albania have nothing left to play for, while the Swedes still have a small chance of qualifying for the play-offs. Therefore, the hosts will be motivated to pick up the full three points. Albania should not be too much of an obstacle for the Scandinavians and I expect Sweden’s individual class up front to be decisive.

Sweden 3-1 Albania

Stefan Coerts, Goal.com

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