View Full Version : The Decider:Sweden - Argentina
Always Laziali
06-09-2002, 02:47 PM
This is a match which no team must lose or they face the dire consequences of losing their spot in the last 32.Argentina would be boosted by the return of Roberto Fabian Ayala and Claudio Cannigia to full training while Sweden would just have to rely on the 2-1 victory of Nigeria to overcome the Argentines this wednesday.According to Bielsa,he has put Veron in training with the reserves of the Argentine players like Almeyda,Gallardo and Claudio Husain.It is very likely that he would be sitting out in favour of Pablo Aimar who substituted Veron in the 2nd half.Another player who might be starting is Roberto Ayala whom Bielsa said is running with the squad and may be risked in the do or die match with Sweden.As for Sweden,Ljungberg has said he will not train with the team due to his poor condition and which he suffered a knock to his knee against Nigeria.
Probable Argentina line ups:3-4-2-1
(Pablo Cavallero,Mauricio Pochettino,Roberto Fabian Ayala,Walter Samuel,Diego Pablo Simeone,Javier Zanetti,Kily Gonzalez,Ariel Ortega,Pablo Aimar,Gabriel Batistuta)
Flukey Lukey
06-09-2002, 02:54 PM
These 2 could both still go through because Nigeria will give England a very hard time.
I think Sweden v Argentina will be a very good game, although i think it will end 1-1. meaning sweden and England go through.
Roberto Abrego
06-09-2002, 03:01 PM
Our defence is to solid I hope for a win or a draw for us...
Always Laziali
06-09-2002, 04:54 PM
I am delighted with Ayala and Aimar starting so someone can hold off Ljungberg-->Ayala.But i know we must play better than we did in the last 30 minutes to win Sweden but i believe Aimar will produce the creativity we lacked against England.By the way,the official match preview would be posted on tuesday.That is my match review with reference to the latest news.
King Italy
06-10-2002, 03:28 AM
My prediction: Sweden 1-2 Argentina
It is very hard to see Argentina not winning this game, they will be just too strong for Sweden in all departments.
Always Laziali
06-10-2002, 03:47 AM
even so,i think Bielsa must play cautiously or he may end up going out of the world cup.
valdanito
06-10-2002, 07:46 AM
bad news! ayala out again!:(
Roberto Abrego
06-10-2002, 08:02 AM
P.Andersson wont play against Argentina.
Always Laziali
06-10-2002, 09:08 AM
Good news and bad news which means no news at all.Ayala out!:mad: Patrik Andersson out!:) Aimar in:)
Flukey Lukey
06-10-2002, 10:57 AM
There could be a few goals in this match now with both teams best defender out.
I wouldn't underestimate Sweden if i was the Argies. The scorer of
the first goal could be cruicial.
Sergei
06-10-2002, 12:03 PM
Russia are in
tunisia 1-1 Belgique
we need 1 point too goo through :)
Always Laziali
06-10-2002, 02:30 PM
If we can emulate the performance against Nigeria and take our chances,we will go through to the last 16.
valdanito
06-10-2002, 04:23 PM
well i wouldnt call ayala our best defender! id have to say it is Smauel!
Argentina will do it!
Always Laziali
06-10-2002, 04:31 PM
Yes but he looked a little bit edgey against Heskey.
we luv u FREDDY 'cos you'v got red hair
we luv u FREDDY 'cos you'r evrywhere
we luv u FREDDY 'cos you'r Arsenal thru n thru
come on FREDDY smash Argentina
Always Laziali
06-11-2002, 03:56 AM
Samuel and Pochettino will stop him.Now my only hope is Ayala will play to stop Larsson.
valdanito
06-11-2002, 08:19 AM
eventhough opur defence has played well we truely miss Ayala! he was an inpiing leading player
Always Laziali
06-11-2002, 12:01 PM
Why is Veron the captain we should let Simeone be the captain.
Always Laziali
06-11-2002, 02:24 PM
I hope Ljungberg is not playing,because he is such a dangerous player but nonetheless i think Argentina will win.
so do I the main threats r obviously Freddy + Larsson but I have a sneaking feeling Ibrahimovic could cause some problems off the bench esp. if Placente plays instead of Ayala
Always Laziali
06-11-2002, 02:34 PM
Placente won't be playing.Chamot will take his place.
Always Laziali
06-11-2002, 02:47 PM
Marcelo Bielsa seems set to make massive changes against Sweden in Wednesday’s crunch match in Miyagi. Lazio players of past, present and future are set to be dropped from the Argentina starting eleven in favour of a more attacking trio.
Juan Sebastian Veron, Diego Simeone and Juan Pablo Sorin have made way for Parma’s Matias Almeyda, Valencia’s Pablo Aimar and Lazio’s Claudio Lopez.
The Argentines have little option left but to attack, as only a victory will suffice. The difficult loss to England saw them dominate possession but rarely threaten David Seaman’s goal. Only when the enthusiastic Pablo Aimar came on did Argentina threaten to equalise.
The diminutive playmaker will replace Veron, and hopefully for the Argentines supply the killer passes for Batistuta and Lopez. Former Parma striker Hernan Crespo is once again consigned to the bench, but may well be used as an inspirational substitute for the aging Batigol.
In defence Argentina must still do without captain Roberto Ayala, while Diego Placente is replaced by Milan’s Jose Chamot. Bielsa cannot afford to even draw this match, with England likely to get a result against Nigeria. The pre tournament favourites must get the win or they run the risk of being eliminated at the first hurdle.
Sweden are ready to take advantage of the precarious situation that Argentina find themselves in. The Scandinavian team are top of Group F needing only a draw to qualify for the second round. As with Argentina, Sweden are without their main central defender Patrick Andersson. Andreas Jakobsson should again deputise for the Swedish captain, in an unchanged line up.
The 2-1 victory over Nigeria has left Sweden in a positive frame of mind and joint Coach Lars Lagerback has hinted Argentina may well be nervous. He said: "Argentina are a massive nation with a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders."
Once again the Swedes will be looking to Freddie Ljungberg and Henrik Larsson to be pulling the strings. A moment of inspiration from either player could be enough to eliminate the two times world champions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Argentina (probable): Cavallero, Chamot, Samuel, Pochettino, Gonzalez, Almeyda, Zanetti, Aimar, Lopez, Batistuta, Ortega.
Sweden (probable): Hedman, Mellberg, Mjallby, Jakobsson, Lucic, Alexandersson, Linderoth, Svensson, Ljungberg, Allback, Larsson.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Always Laziali
06-11-2002, 02:55 PM
Sweden captain Patrik Andersson is definitely out of the group F game against Argentina after failing an injury test on Sunday, team doctor Anders Vallentin confirmed.
'He is completely gone from the Argentina game, at worst he may miss the entire World Cup,' Vallentin said.
Defender Andersson had resumed training after two days of rest but had to quit after only a few minutes as his groin and hip injury began to bother him once again.
'I felt the pain and there was no use in continuing,' Andersson said. 'I am disappointed.'
Andersson had to miss both Sweden's 1-1 draw with England and the 2-1 win over Nigeria because of the injury. He was replaced by Andreas Jakobsson.
Sweden need to take a point against Argentina to be sure of qualifying for the last 16.
HUUUGE miss 4 Sweden - no PA but no Ayala as well would be a good deal for Argentina as u have far gr8r depth 2 your squad
Always Laziali
06-11-2002, 05:16 PM
Bielsa will play him if he is fit which he is currently at the moment.
Always Laziali
06-11-2002, 05:16 PM
The winner takes it all. Who'd have thought that Argentina would go into their final group game needing to win to take them though? Nothing less will do.
Sweden have performed admirably in their opening two games without ever excelling. They'd have been happy with the 1-1 draw with England, and also with their performance in the crucial 2-1 win over Nigeria.
They are unbeaten and need only a draw to progress. Coaches Lars Lagerback and Tommy Soderberg would surely have taken that after being plunged into the group of death.
If there was a World Cup based on teamwork and spirit, the Swedes would surely be close to winning it. Their organisational qualities are second to none but it is because of this that they tend to lack flair and can often come over as dull and boring. The side has two real quality attacking players and one of these appears to be suffering from the team's style of play. Freddi Ljungberg has looked a pale imitation of the player that so dazzled the Premiership last season. Rarely in this tournament have we seen his dashing runs down the wing, his late surges into the box and his clinical finishing. The reason being that at Arsenal he has the likes of Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires to lay a ball on a plate for him where as such names as Niclas AlexAndersson and Tobias Linderoth don't quite have the same qualities. One senses that if Sweden are to progress, Freddie may have to buck the trend of the opening two games.
Argentina have so far got pretty much what they deserved out of this World Cup. Dominance in the first game against Nigeria was rewarded with a 1-0 win, but an unusually subdued display against England last Friday rightly resulted in a defeat.
In midfield they were muscled out by the excellent Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes, while up-front Gabriel Batistuta, and later Hernan Crespo, were given little change out of Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell. Kily Gonzalez and Walter Samuel were the only outfield players who could argue that they did themselves justice.
Playmaker Pablo Aimar, who was brought on at half-time against England for the disappointing Juan Veron, is still confident his side can progress and is even eyeing a semi-final rematch with England.
"We're optimistic we'll be there (in the second round) ," said the pint-sized Valencia midfielder. "We'll win the match against Sweden and get to the second round.
"Argentina have responded to difficult times before. We would have to change a few things for the England match though."
Fighting talk indeed, but there will need to be a 100% improvement on last Friday's miserable display if Marcelo Bielsa's men aren't to fall at the first hurdle.
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Argentina: After the disappointing performance of Juan Veron against England, the Manchester United man is set to be dropped in favour of Pablo Aimar. Bielsa is hoping that Roberto Ayala is fit to play in defence after missing the first two games of the tournament. If he is, Diego Placente will drop out. The coach is even pondering abandoning his usual 3-3-3-1 system and going with Gabriel Baistuta and Hernan Crespo up-front.
Sweden: Ljungberg's hip has flared up again, although team doctor Magnus Forssblad is confident he will play. Key defender Patrik Andersson again misses out with a thigh injury and brother Daniel is also a doubt with a similar knock. Andreas Jakobsson should continue alongside Johan Mjallby in defence.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Sweden: 4-4-2: Hedman, Mellberg, Mjallby, Jakobsson, Lucic, Alexandersson, A Svensson, Linderoth, Ljungberg, Allback, Larsson
Argentina: 3-3-3-1: Cavallero, Pochettino, Samuel, Ayala, Zanetti, Sorin, Simeone, Aimar, Ortega, Gonzalez, Batistuta
FORM GUIDE
Sweden: In the build up to the finals the Swedes drew with Switzerland and Norway before going down 2-1 to Paraguay. They then completed their preparation with a 1-1 draw against Japan. Progress has been steady in the group stage of the World Cup and they are well-placed to go through after a 1-1 draw with England and a 2-1 win over Nigeria thanks to Henrik Larsson's two goals.
Argentina: Prior to the finals Bielsa's men drew with Wales and Cameroon before beating Germany in a match in which they were accused of rough-arm tactics. They looked potential world champions in the 1-0 win over Nigeria, although anything but in last Friday's defeat to England.
WHO IS HOT
Sweden: Henrik Larsson put in a good all-round display against Nigeria and was rewarded with two goals. Samuel, Pochettino and co will have their hands full looking after the Celtic striker.
Argentina: All of the attacking threat against England came down the left-hand side with the lively running of Kily Gonzalez. The Valencia man also came close to scoring and it was a surprise to see him taken off 20 minutes into the second-half.
WHO IS NOT
Sweden: at times the defence looked shaky the other day and goalkeeper Magnus Hedman was fortunate not to be beaten late on when Yobo's shot thumped against the post. The first-half cock-up between Teddy Lucic and Thomas Mjallby (which resulted in the latter hitting his own post), had to be seen to be believed.
Argentina: Much has been said of Juan Pablo Sorin who will be playing his football with Lazio next season, but the Cruzeiro defender disappointed against England and will certainly need to buck up his ideas in this one.
I think thats a bit harsh on Sorin - the whole team disappointed but he was no worse than the others - he has looked solid so far this WC
Always Laziali
06-11-2002, 05:25 PM
yeah,i thought so.He was marked so heavily by the defense.but his back-heel to Kily who nearly scored was marvellous.
there was a section of world football - the Tv show - on Sorin last year, the Cruzeiro fans they spoke2 absolutely worshipped him. He was a massive succes 4them anyway
Always Laziali
06-11-2002, 05:47 PM
And he will be for Lazio next season as well!
valdanito
06-11-2002, 06:59 PM
Sorin a is an excellent player and will have a great Wc and a great time in Serie A
Always Laziali
06-12-2002, 01:44 AM
The question is whether Mancini will use him as an attacking winger or a defender one?
Roberto Abrego
06-12-2002, 10:52 AM
Originally posted by King Italy
My prediction: Sweden 1-2 Argentina
It is very hard to see Argentina not winning this game, they will be just too strong for Sweden in all departments.
wrong!
Roberto Abrego
06-12-2002, 10:53 AM
Originally posted by JD
we luv u FREDDY 'cos you'v got red hair
we luv u FREDDY 'cos you'r evrywhere
we luv u FREDDY 'cos you'r Arsenal thru n thru
come on FREDDY smash Argentina
he didnt played.
Roberto Abrego
06-12-2002, 10:55 AM
Originally posted by HernanCrespo
Why is Veron the captain we should let Simeone be the captain.
Batistuta was the captain.
Roberto Abrego
06-12-2002, 10:57 AM
Originally posted by JD
so do I the main threats r obviously Freddy + Larsson but I have a sneaking feeling Ibrahimovic could cause some problems off the bench esp. if Placente plays instead of Ayala
he played 15 min he didnt do much things our coaches prefered Andreas Andersson to be Allbäck or Larsson sub rather than Zlatan
Roberto Abrego
06-12-2002, 11:01 AM
Originally posted by HernanCrespo
The winner takes it all. Who'd have thought that Argentina would go into their final group game needing to win to take them though? Nothing less will do.
Sweden have performed admirably in their opening two games without ever excelling. They'd have been happy with the 1-1 draw with England, and also with their performance in the crucial 2-1 win over Nigeria.
They are unbeaten and need only a draw to progress. Coaches Lars Lagerback and Tommy Soderberg would surely have taken that after being plunged into the group of death.
If there was a World Cup based on teamwork and spirit, the Swedes would surely be close to winning it. Their organisational qualities are second to none but it is because of this that they tend to lack flair and can often come over as dull and boring. The side has two real quality attacking players and one of these appears to be suffering from the team's style of play. Freddi Ljungberg has looked a pale imitation of the player that so dazzled the Premiership last season. Rarely in this tournament have we seen his dashing runs down the wing, his late surges into the box and his clinical finishing. The reason being that at Arsenal he has the likes of Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires to lay a ball on a plate for him where as such names as Niclas AlexAndersson and Tobias Linderoth don't quite have the same qualities. One senses that if Sweden are to progress, Freddie may have to buck the trend of the opening two games.
Argentina have so far got pretty much what they deserved out of this World Cup. Dominance in the first game against Nigeria was rewarded with a 1-0 win, but an unusually subdued display against England last Friday rightly resulted in a defeat.
In midfield they were muscled out by the excellent Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes, while up-front Gabriel Batistuta, and later Hernan Crespo, were given little change out of Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell. Kily Gonzalez and Walter Samuel were the only outfield players who could argue that they did themselves justice.
Playmaker Pablo Aimar, who was brought on at half-time against England for the disappointing Juan Veron, is still confident his side can progress and is even eyeing a semi-final rematch with England.
"We're optimistic we'll be there (in the second round) ," said the pint-sized Valencia midfielder. "We'll win the match against Sweden and get to the second round.
"Argentina have responded to difficult times before. We would have to change a few things for the England match though."
Fighting talk indeed, but there will need to be a 100% improvement on last Friday's miserable display if Marcelo Bielsa's men aren't to fall at the first hurdle.
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Argentina: After the disappointing performance of Juan Veron against England, the Manchester United man is set to be dropped in favour of Pablo Aimar. Bielsa is hoping that Roberto Ayala is fit to play in defence after missing the first two games of the tournament. If he is, Diego Placente will drop out. The coach is even pondering abandoning his usual 3-3-3-1 system and going with Gabriel Baistuta and Hernan Crespo up-front.
Sweden: Ljungberg's hip has flared up again, although team doctor Magnus Forssblad is confident he will play. Key defender Patrik Andersson again misses out with a thigh injury and brother Daniel is also a doubt with a similar knock. Andreas Jakobsson should continue alongside Johan Mjallby in defence.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Sweden: 4-4-2: Hedman, Mellberg, Mjallby, Jakobsson, Lucic, Alexandersson, A Svensson, Linderoth, Ljungberg, Allback, Larsson
Argentina: 3-3-3-1: Cavallero, Pochettino, Samuel, Ayala, Zanetti, Sorin, Simeone, Aimar, Ortega, Gonzalez, Batistuta
FORM GUIDE
Sweden: In the build up to the finals the Swedes drew with Switzerland and Norway before going down 2-1 to Paraguay. They then completed their preparation with a 1-1 draw against Japan. Progress has been steady in the group stage of the World Cup and they are well-placed to go through after a 1-1 draw with England and a 2-1 win over Nigeria thanks to Henrik Larsson's two goals.
Argentina: Prior to the finals Bielsa's men drew with Wales and Cameroon before beating Germany in a match in which they were accused of rough-arm tactics. They looked potential world champions in the 1-0 win over Nigeria, although anything but in last Friday's defeat to England.
WHO IS HOT
Sweden: Henrik Larsson put in a good all-round display against Nigeria and was rewarded with two goals. Samuel, Pochettino and co will have their hands full looking after the Celtic striker.
Argentina: All of the attacking threat against England came down the left-hand side with the lively running of Kily Gonzalez. The Valencia man also came close to scoring and it was a surprise to see him taken off 20 minutes into the second-half.
WHO IS NOT
Sweden: at times the defence looked shaky the other day and goalkeeper Magnus Hedman was fortunate not to be beaten late on when Yobo's shot thumped against the post. The first-half cock-up between Teddy Lucic and Thomas Mjallby (which resulted in the latter hitting his own post), had to be seen to be believed.
Argentina: Much has been said of Juan Pablo Sorin who will be playing his football with Lazio next season, but the Cruzeiro defender disappointed against England and will certainly need to buck up his ideas in this one.
Ljunberg havent been great on this Wc beacuse he is playing with an injury.
Always Laziali
06-12-2002, 01:36 PM
Congratulations to Sweden!I accept the draw as a fair one but i know that Argentina was dominant throughout the match.It is all predestined and lady luck was clearly not on the Argentinians side.
excuses excuses - y do u always domin8 and never win?
too bad that argentina is out, I would think that the argentinian people deserve something better after all of the economic and social problems that argentina has faced in the past year or so.
I guess everything is open now, just who will take the WC this year...
Always Laziali
06-12-2002, 04:47 PM
I am not blaming anyone for this loss.Not the players nor the referee and so why are you saying i have so many excuses?
Originally posted by HernanCrespo
i know that Argentina was dominant throughout the match.It is all predestined and lady luck was clearly not on the Argentinians side.
predestined, lady luck!! everything u say is an attempt 2 deflect responsibility - EXCUSES, Argentina were simply not good enough
Always Laziali
06-12-2002, 05:08 PM
They were good enough.It is just that Sweden didn't let Argentina through and that proved that they were a very strong side,just as i expected.But nonetheless,I think Bielsa has learnt his lesson not to bench players like Crespo and Aimar.
any team that is good enough...
is still in the competition, very simple
Always Laziali
06-12-2002, 05:13 PM
True but i don't think this world cup would be as entertaining as previous years without Uruguay,Holland,Argentina,France........etc.
I would love 2 c the top players of those countries (Recoba, RVN, Crespo, Henry etc) performing at the top level as they can. But at the end of the day if any of those players had played as well as they could earlier on their countries might still be in the competition!
The unknown (or less well known) players that have performed at a higher level than these established stars deserve to be at the world cup - maybe Klose, Diouf, Duff, Rommedahl can take a big step and perform at a world class level.
this WC is Xciting Bcause no1 knows wot will happen next!
Roberto Abrego
06-12-2002, 10:10 PM
Originally posted by HernanCrespo
They were good enough.It is just that Sweden didn't let Argentina through and that proved that they were a very strong side,just as i expected.But nonetheless,I think Bielsa has learnt his lesson not to bench players like Crespo and Aimar. Batistuta said that their were not good enought to beat Sweden...
Argentina was dominating the match but we got the better chaces.
Always Laziali
06-12-2002, 11:02 PM
I only want to see D'alessandro at the world cup.He would be much better than Veron.It was just a pity,we didn't produce the form that won us the qualifiers by 12 points.
Roberto Abrego
06-13-2002, 02:36 AM
but ´D'Alessandro was still to young for the WC specially for the Group of the dead.Veron is still better.
Always Laziali
06-13-2002, 03:14 AM
He would be 25 at the next world cup and surely he will get a place then?
Roberto Abrego
06-14-2002, 02:19 AM
oh yes, no doubt about it he will be a better player but he is not even the shadow of Roman Riquelme that guy is simply G R E A T!
Always Laziali
06-14-2002, 03:20 AM
I disagree.He may be lousier now but he would be a massive player for Argentina in Germany in 2006.
Roberto Abrego
06-17-2002, 11:52 PM
Originally posted by JD
I would love 2 c the top players of those countries (Recoba, RVN, Crespo, Henry etc) performing at the top level as they can. But at the end of the day if any of those players had played as well as they could earlier on their countries might still be in the competition!
The unknown (or less well known) players that have performed at a higher level than these established stars deserve to be at the world cup - maybe Klose, Diouf, Duff, Rommedahl can take a big step and perform at a world class level.
this WC is Xciting Bcause no1 knows wot will happen next!
maybe Klose and Duff were unknowns
bu Diouf and Rommedahl?
Roberto Abrego
06-17-2002, 11:53 PM
Originally posted by JD
I would love 2 c the top players of those countries (Recoba, RVN, Crespo, Henry etc) performing at the top level as they can. But at the end of the day if any of those players had played as well as they could earlier on their countries might still be in the competition!
The unknown (or less well known) players that have performed at a higher level than these established stars deserve to be at the world cup - maybe Klose, Diouf, Duff, Rommedahl can take a big step and perform at a world class level.
this WC is Xciting Bcause no1 knows wot will happen next!
maybe Klose and Duff were unknowns
but Diouf and Rommedahl?
Always Laziali
06-18-2002, 03:23 PM
Rommendahl,Klose and Duff were well known maybe only Diouf was not !
Roberto Abrego
06-19-2002, 04:27 AM
Originally posted by HernanCrespo
Rommendahl,Klose and Duff were well known maybe only Diouf was not !
I know Diouf very well beacuse I like Le championat.
Roberto Abrego
06-19-2002, 04:28 AM
Originally posted by HernanCrespo
I disagree.He may be lousier now but he would be a massive player for Argentina in Germany in 2006. but never better than Riquelme.
Always Laziali
06-21-2002, 04:38 PM
It is very difficult to say as Riquelme is undergoing a state of distress so it would be a good chance for D'alessandro to catch up with Riquelme .
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