Sweden start 2011 with Moldova tie
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Article summary
Sweden will look to keep pace with Group E leaders the Netherlands and Hungary as they play host to Moldova in their first UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier of the year.
Article top media content
Article body
Sweden will look to keep pace with Group E leaders the Netherlands and Hungary as they play host to Moldova in their first UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier of the year.
Match background
• The nations have met twice before, in 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifying, with Sweden winning both fixtures without conceding.
• Marcus Allbäck scored two late goals as Sweden won their first meeting 2-0 in Chisinau on 28 March 2001 – nine years and a day before this latest encounter.
• The return fixture in Gothenburg on 6 June 2001 ended in a 6-0 win for the hosts; Henrik Larsson hit a hat-trick, Niclas Alexandersson and Allbäck struck to make it 5-0 and then Larsson added his fourth of the game.
• It was the only occasion in his career that Larsson scored four goals in an international game for club or country.
• Sweden and Moldova are level on six points, but Sweden have a game in hand.
