ANDERS SVENSSON TURNED back the clock to fire Sweden to a 2-1 victory over Ireland in tonight’s World Cup qualifier in Dublin.
On his record equalling 143rd cap, the 37-year-old Svensson helped the visitors come from behind to beat an Ireland side who simply couldn’t afford to lose ground in the race to reach next year’s finals in Brazil.
Robbie Keane, with his record 60th international goal, had given the hosts the perfect start, but Johan Elmander equalised before half time.
Thanks to Svensson, and the increasingly influential Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden stole all three points with an improved second half showing.
Ireland travel to Austria on Tuesday knowing their World Cup qualifying Group C fate is now out of their hands, while Sweden visit Kazakhstan in the knowledge that victory will put one foot in the playoffs.
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It is a major blow to Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni, who had publicly declared the need for four points from this double header.
Sweden boss Erik Hamren will feel justified with his decision to start Svensson, despite having Kim Kallstrom available, but it would be hard to ignore the contribution of Ibrahimovic, who has scored 14 goals in his last 12 games for Sweden, but was happy to play the role of creator tonight.
With the two teams, as well as Austria, level on points going into this round of fixtures, both sides spoke of playing to win and a packed stadium helped Ireland roar into action, with Shane Long, Glenn Whelan and Jon Walters all firing shots on goal inside the opening 15 minutes.
Sweden struggled to get time on the ball and two long range free kicks, both smacked into the defensive wall by Ibrahimovic, were all they had to show in the same period.
The hosts were playing with confidence and though James McClean’s cross that hit the bar had some fans on their feet, Keane lifted the roof in the 21st minute.
The LA Galaxy forward pounced on a poor back pass by Mikael Lustig, and poked the ball around Andreas Isaakson in the Swedish goal only to see it roll agonisingly toward the post.
The 33-year-old gave chase, though, and when Mikael Antonsson failed to adequately clear, he thumped home from an angle to give Ireland a deserved lead.
Sweden responded well, with Elmander first to draw a save from David Forde while Sebastian Larsson should really have levelled things on the half hour but he headed wide after a wonderfully timed run from midfield to latch onto an Ibrahimovic cross.
The visitors didn’t have to wait long to celebrate though, and when the goal came it was worth waiting for – with Lustig’s wicked cross bulleted past Forde by Elmander in the 33rd minute.
Sweden had looked vulnerable for much of the first half, but as he dropped deeper Ibrahimovic began to control things.
In the 57th minute Ibrahimovic showed his class once again as he set up Svensson for a shot that beat Forde at his near post to give Sweden the lead.
Ireland could have equalised had Shane Long spotted Keane free at the back post after John O’Shea had put him clear, but the West Brom forward squandered the opportunity and the skipper’s frustration summed up Ireland’s night.
The game tonight was similar to the reserve fixture last March. We were good for the opening 30 minutes, went flat before half time and ended up playing long ball football in the second half. The difference was the result. Tonight we couldn’t ignore the flaws in the team. Trapattoni’s flawed philosophy has proven costly.
no, you are so wrong john Deane. Trap is a disaster for Ireland. He does not understand Irish sport and Irish heart. We should have beaten Sweden tonight easily.
We have good players , but Trap cannot get the best out of them as he is stuck in the 1980′s.
It’s easy for teams to play against us as they know how we’re going to set up, what tactics were going to employ(long ball) and if we score were going to try and defend it. So even if teams go behind they don’t panic as they know eventually they’ll break them down. We don’t have quality players either. It’s a fact,we’ve players who are either sub standard or on the fringe of their clubs. Although Trap is an arrogant fool not selecting correct players and not trying to play a different system, he’s not solely to blame(although a lot to blame). We’re a mediocre team who could pull off a shock now and again. Were set up to draw with a chance that we could sneak one. 60% of our goals are from set pieces. Enough said.
Have to agree!! We are a poor England team at best!! We don’t have the same heart that drove us to wins as famously over the English in 88 or the Dutch in famous play offs!! We are simply bereft of technical ability! We don’t have a class striker nor a class playmaker and our defence is as open as a hookers legs!! Simple fact is we are rubbish!! We will never compete at a high level. We are cannon fodder, the also rand, the wannabes!!
david we are worse than a poor England team now. in 88/90 we had a class team and an aged team in 94. trap is just not getting the best out of an average Irish team and the idiots in the FAI just don’t seem to care…….they have an idiot like delaney running the thing for crying out loud!!!!!!!
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What hurts the most is that Sweden and Austria are so so beatable.
Unfortunately so are we.
Also knowing that our tactics and squad/team selection doesn’t help the matter.
Completely predictable. The reason I stopped going years ago to Ireland matches since Trap took over.
It is very predictable sadly. Why Irish soccer fans don’t agree is bizarre. The man is stringing Ireland along for millions..
It is pretty sad.
Top fan pal. Thats it. When things arent great, throw your toys out of the pram and leave.
Come back when we’re winning
no, i am not supporting an obvious disaster in trap. I saw it years ago. I supported Ireland for 25 years.
headline should of read “Trap & FAI shatters Irish dreams!!!
why those tools in the FAI ever chose him to be manger, I will never know!
The game tonight was similar to the reserve fixture last March. We were good for the opening 30 minutes, went flat before half time and ended up playing long ball football in the second half. The difference was the result. Tonight we couldn’t ignore the flaws in the team. Trapattoni’s flawed philosophy has proven costly.
It doesnt matter who is in charge of Ireland. We are a poor side. It will be ages before we qualify for a major tournament again.
no, you are so wrong john Deane. Trap is a disaster for Ireland. He does not understand Irish sport and Irish heart. We should have beaten Sweden tonight easily.
We have good players , but Trap cannot get the best out of them as he is stuck in the 1980′s.
@ John!
Trap is shite but I agree to an extent! I think it doesn’t matter whose in charge
We’re not good enough guys! Wake up and smell the coffee
It’s easy for teams to play against us as they know how we’re going to set up, what tactics were going to employ(long ball) and if we score were going to try and defend it. So even if teams go behind they don’t panic as they know eventually they’ll break them down. We don’t have quality players either. It’s a fact,we’ve players who are either sub standard or on the fringe of their clubs. Although Trap is an arrogant fool not selecting correct players and not trying to play a different system, he’s not solely to blame(although a lot to blame). We’re a mediocre team who could pull off a shock now and again. Were set up to draw with a chance that we could sneak one. 60% of our goals are from set pieces. Enough said.
I see all the legends of Irish soccer are commenting on this article!
His great use of substitutions – bring on one striker on the wing to replace another striker on the wing. Genius.
Have to agree!! We are a poor England team at best!! We don’t have the same heart that drove us to wins as famously over the English in 88 or the Dutch in famous play offs!! We are simply bereft of technical ability! We don’t have a class striker nor a class playmaker and our defence is as open as a hookers legs!! Simple fact is we are rubbish!! We will never compete at a high level. We are cannon fodder, the also rand, the wannabes!!
Also rans!!
david we are worse than a poor England team now. in 88/90 we had a class team and an aged team in 94. trap is just not getting the best out of an average Irish team and the idiots in the FAI just don’t seem to care…….they have an idiot like delaney running the thing for crying out loud!!!!!!!