Goal.com

Jun 16, 2009 9:00:34 PM

Sweden came from a goal down to claim a fine 5-1 victory over Belarus. Goal.com watched the game and gave each player a mark out of ten...

SWEDEN

Johan Dahlin - 6.5: Dealt comfortably with everything thrown at him by Belarus, but helpless to stop the opening goal from Kislyak.

Mikael Lustig - 6.5: Got forward well to support the attacks, but didn't always manage to suppress Belarus' most lively player Kovel

Mattias Bjarsmyr - 7: A commanding performance at the heart of the defence seeing off the danger of Belarus' top scorer in qualification Komarovskiy

Pierre Bengtsson - 7: A strong performance alongside Bjarsmyr by and large dealing well with the Belarus attack

Emil Johansson - 7: Made a good impression on the left side of the defence, especially getting forward and dealing with Afansanyiev, the Belarus captain on their right side. Was unlucky to just avoid making contact with a misdirected Elm shot in the second half after an outstanding run to support the attack

Rasmus Elm - 7.5: Returning from the first team and more than justifying the decision to call him into the side.  Was lucky with the equaliser, but was generally dangerous throughout the evening, and supplied a wonderful pass for the Swedish fourth

Gustav Svensson - 7.5: Had an efficient match at the centre of midfield, dealing with the pre-tournament Belarus dangerman Kryvets so well that the BATE schemer was withdrawn after 77 minutes. Was rewarded late on with a scorching goal from a corner kick to make it 5-1

Pontus Wernbloom - 5.5: The least effective of the Swedish players, as he struggled to match his midfield colleagues for effectiveness after a bright start. 

Emir Bajrami - 6: Flitted in and out of the game for Sweden down the left flank, but provided a great assist for Berg's first goal to make it 2-1 exchanging passes with the striker setting him away. 

Marcus Berg - 8: A thoroughly deserved hat-trick to see Sweden make their mark tonight. Was a handful from the outset drifting out wide and making intelligent runs into the penalty area.  If he continues this form the best in Europe will be looking at the FC Groningen striker. 

Ola Toivonen - 7: Will be disapointed not to get his name on the score sheet after his colleague grabbed a hat-trick. Nevertheless despite missing a great chance just before the equaliser and having a perfectly valid goal ruled out, the PSV forward can be content with his game. Set up Berg's second, and more than justified his presence on the pitch.

SUBS

Guillermo Molins - 6: Second half sub for Bajrami but didn't make much impression in the game following his arrival

Labinot Harbuzi - n/a: Subsitute for Toivonen with 5 minutes to go

Andreas Landgren - n/a: Thrown on with a minute to go for Svensson in the midfield

BELARUS

Pavel Chesnovsky - 5: Did his best but was afforded little protection by his defence. Made one or two notable saves and came out to smother a Toivonen shot

Igor Shitov - 4: A poor game at right-back as he failed to make any impression going forward and was troubled by Bajrami when the Swedish midfielder had the ball

Dmitry Verkovtsov - 4: Came into the game with a big reputation, but failed to deliver. Allowed Berg acres of room for Sweden's third goal when he should have closed him down. 

Aleksandr Martynovich - 4: Unlucky with the deflection for the equaliser, but generally attracted too often to the ball affording too much time and space for the Swedish attack

Nikolai Osipovich - 4: Failed to get to grips with Elm, who was allowed to drift into the middle of the pitch at will from his right midfield role. 

Mikhail Afansanyiev - 4: A promising start when he raided down the Belarus right, quickly petered out to obscurity. The captain was hauled off after 52 minutes.

Aleksandr Volodko - 5.5: Operating as a defensive midfielder, he dealt well with Wernbloom, whom he stifled throughout the match. Made one promising run forward for a shot, but couldn't get the rest of the team to follow his lead.

Sergei Kislyak - 7: Was easily the best performer for Belarus, getting himself on the score sheet with an amazing strike from deep. Had several more worthy efforts off both his right and left boot, but was less lucky with them.

Leonid Kovel - 6: Tried to get Belarus going in the second half with a couple of runs and passes off to attackers.  Excellent movement down the left for the opener sending the ball across to Kryets, but was only sporadic in his performance. Was more lively when shifted into the middle.

Sergey Kryvets - 5: Was supposed to be the dangerman for Belarus pre-tournament, and despite getting the assist to the Kislyak goal, was well taken care of by Svensson. Subbed with 15 minutes to go, he'll be looking for a major improvement against Italy

Dimitri Komarovskiy - 3.5: Utterly anonymous for the 53 minutes he spent on the pitch.  In truth got little service, but never showed even for a long punt through the middle. 

SUBS

Anton Putilo - 4: Second half replacement for the ineffective Komarovskiy in the centre of midfield but made little headway against the Swedes.

Andrei Chukley - 4: More noted as a defender, played down the right wing but made little impression

Vladimir Yurchenko - n/a: Came on with 13 minutes to go for Komarovskiy but couldn't get into the game.  May be in line for a start against Serbia on Friday though.

Walter Townsend, Goal.com

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!