12th Match FIFA World Cup 2018
12th Match FIFA World Cup
2018
2018
Sweden beat Korea Republic 1-0
in
World Cup 2018
v Sweden won their opening match at a World Cup
for the first time since 1958
v Korea
Republic’s poor run continues
v RELIVE: As
it happened, stats, more
Following an absence of 12 long years, Sweden marked their
return to the FIFA World Cup™ in style in the opening match of Group F. The
desire of Janne Andersson’s charges was there for all to see as they emerged
victorious over a disappointing Korea Republic.
The Swedes were rewarded for an enterprising performance in
which they created a series of goalscoring chances. As much due to their own
profligacy as to the opposition backline, the hoards of Scandinavian fans in
Nizhny Novgorod were made to wait until the second half before the deadlock was
broken.
The Taeguk Warriors conceded a penalty in the 65th minute
following confirmation by VAR, and Swedish captain Andreas Granqvist shouldered
the responsibility, coolly converting the resulting spot kick.
Korea Republic pushed hard to find a way back into the game, but
to no avail. Their disappointing series of results at the World Cup continues:
they have now gone six matches without a win, a run that dates back to their
victory over Greece in 2010.
Team Reporter Analysis
Alexandra Jonson with Sweden [Follow in Twitter | Facebook]
Creating goalscoring chances had been the main concerns surrounding the Swedish team ahead of this game. Carving out opportunities would not prove to be the problem, as the players were clearly eager to prove their critics wrong, but the ball did not want to go in, and in the end it took a penalty kick to secure the three points. A strong start for Sweden showed that they prepared well for their return to the global stage.
Alexandra Jonson with Sweden [Follow in Twitter | Facebook]
Creating goalscoring chances had been the main concerns surrounding the Swedish team ahead of this game. Carving out opportunities would not prove to be the problem, as the players were clearly eager to prove their critics wrong, but the ball did not want to go in, and in the end it took a penalty kick to secure the three points. A strong start for Sweden showed that they prepared well for their return to the global stage.
A deserved defeat for Korea Republic, who were second best in all aspects of the game. They failed to create any clear opportunities, their defending was sloppy and their passing game lacked fluency. The team may be disappointed, but now the players need to regroup and prepare for the next game.
Budweiser Man of the Match
Captain Andreas Granqvist marshalled the Swedish backline throughout the game, initiated countless attacks and took charge of scoring the penalty that gave his side victory.
Captain Andreas Granqvist marshalled the Swedish backline throughout the game, initiated countless attacks and took charge of scoring the penalty that gave his side victory.
The stat
60 - Sweden had built up something of a reputation for starting World Cups slowly over the past 60 years. They had not recorded victory in their opening game since a 3-0 win over Mexico in 1958, the tournament at which they would ultimately finish runners-up.
60 - Sweden had built up something of a reputation for starting World Cups slowly over the past 60 years. They had not recorded victory in their opening game since a 3-0 win over Mexico in 1958, the tournament at which they would ultimately finish runners-up.
What’s next
Germany v Sweden, Group F, 23 June, Sochi
Korea Republic v Mexico, Group F, 23 June, Rostov-on-Don
Germany v Sweden, Group F, 23 June, Sochi
Korea Republic v Mexico, Group F, 23 June, Rostov-on-Don
Page blog source:www.fifa.com/
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