Keeper crisis forces Sweden's hand
Tuesday, October 1, 2002
Article summary
Sweden have named two inexperienced goalkeepers for their home match against Hungary.
Article body
Injury problems
With Magnus Hedman and his usual understudy Magnus Kihlstedt injured, Andreas Isaksson of Djurgårdens IF and Örgryte IS's Dick Last have been drafted into Lars Lagerbäck and Tommy Söderberg's squad for the game in Solna. Isaksson, 20, won his sole cap against Switzerland in March, while Last is yet to play for the national team. "We have weighed the pros and the cons more than we usually do," Lagerbäck admitted about the selection of the two keepers.
Ljungberg returns
Elsewhere, Arsenal FC's Fredrik Ljungberg returns from injury, but captain Johan Mjällby joins his Celtic FC club-mate Hedman in missing the match, after undergoing treatment on his knee for a cartilage problem. FC København striker Jörgen Pettersson is in the squad for the first time since EURO 2000™.
Opening draw
Latvia held Sweden 0-0 in Riga in their opening Group 4 qualifier, while the match in Sweden will be Hungary's first of the campaign.
Sweden squad
Isaksson, Last, Antonelius, Edman, Jakobsson, Johansson, Mellberg, Michael Svensson, Ulander, Alexandersson, Allbäck, Andersson, Ibrahimovic, Jonson, Källström, Lant.
