Ibrahimovic expects Sweden to find goal touch soon

BREMEN, Germany, June 13: Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said today he was confident that Sweden would soon light up the World Cup scoreboards with goals.

Sweden have struggled to find the net this year and he was frustrated that they dominated Trinidad&Tobago in their Group B opener on Saturday but failed to score in the goalless draw.

''I think everybody agrees that once you've scored the first goal the whole team gets loose,'' said the towering striker who has scored 18 goals in 39 internationals.

''If we had been able to get that first goal we would have got a couple of more,'' he said. ''But the first one wouldn't go in. We should continue playing like this. Goals will come.'' The Scandinavians had the highest goals per game ratio of any European World Cup qualifier, scoring 30 times in their 10 matches while conceding only four.

But they have struggled since and have not won a match in 2006 after draws against Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Finland, Chile and Trinidad&Tobago along with a 3-0 defeat in Ireland. They have scored only two goals in six matches this year.

But Ibrahimovic dimsissed the doubters back home and aid they should not change their approach.

''We should continue playing like we've done so far,'' he said.

''We've had a lot of scoring opportunities.

''Their goalkeeper was very good,'' added the 25-year-old striker referrring to Shaka Hislop's fine performance.

''There is pressure on us to win but we have to be realistic: we are not Brazil and not the favourites,'' he said, adding that it was only ''according to the press that we are favourites''.

The Juventus striker said genuine Sweden fans would stick with the team depsite their present tough spell.

''We absolutely don't want to let them down. I tried my best. If they are real supporters, they are supporters even if we lose.

That's the game. You can't win all the time. If they're disappointed, you can be sure we're disappointed too.''

Reuters

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