Sweden not embarrassed by draw with Trinidad

BREMEN, Germany, June 11: Coach Lars Lagerback was satisfied with Sweden's display in their 0-0 draw with World Cup debutants Trinidad&Tobago and denied the result was an embarrassment.

''We played a really good game,'' Lagerback told reporters today.

''We were just unlucky.

''The Trinidad goalkeeper (Shaka Hislop) had probably his best game. Except for the result I'm satisfied.'' Trinidad celebrated yesterday's Group B draw like a victory after playing almost the entire second half with 10 men.

''We've analysed the match and I'm satisfied with the way we played,'' added Lagerback. ''We created a lot of good goalscoring chances, 26. That's extremely good.'' Lagerback dismissed suggestions his team might have underestimated Trinidad.

''The guys never take anyone too lightly,'' he said. ''It's not embarrassing if you play the match well and don't have luck and can't score.

''You can't use the word 'embarrassment'. That kind of result can happen in football. I can't say I would have changed anything.'' Lagerback said group rivals England and Paraguay may have picked up an idea or two by watching Trinidad's cautious approach.

''Perhaps they learned a bit, how they will play against a defensive team with nine men back all the time,'' he said. ''Maybe it will help them a little bit.'' Henrik Larsson said it was important to forget the result.

''There's no point in dwelling on it,'' said the striker. ''You have to move on.

''We created enough chances to win. I think we totally dominated them.'' Larsson said Sweden's attentions must now turn to the next game against Paraguay on Thursday.

''The most important thing now is believing in ourselves,'' he said. ''Don't panic.

''Everyone knows Paraguay is a very important game. We have to try to really focus on that now.''

REUTERS

Related Stories
10-man Trinidad hold Sweden to 0-0 draw