Both Sweden, England Face Serious Challenges

Two possible strongest teams of Group B Sweden and England will meet each other in Cologne on June 20 for their last group-match. Obviously, there will be more difficulties for both teams as they want to set food in later rounds.

Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has decided to line up Wayne Rooney for England’s upfront right at beginning of the match. The striker had performed in nearly 30 minutes with a fairly good fitness in the match against Trinidad & Tobago. Thus, choosing Rooney proves to be a more effective solution than towering Perer Crouch when he will be side by side with Michael Owen in England’s attack.

World-class midfielder Owen Hargreaves will play in half-backs instead of Steven Gerrard, who is set to rest after scoring one goal in the 2-0 triumph over Trinidad and Tobago previously.

Meanwhile, English left-wing defender Gary Neville will probably miss the match due to his calf injury and be replaced by Liverpool’s defender Jamie Carragher.

As for Sweden, Marcus Allback will be set alongside Henrik Larsson in attack after Zlatan Ibrahimovic was effectively ruled out with injury.

Sweden needs a draw to be mathematically sure. If it loses, Trinidad & Tobago can still progress in the last 16 by beating Paraguay. However, the team is also seeking for a victory, aiming at to seizing the group leading position currently occupied by England.

Obviously, both two teams may have to fight fiercely for the position if Germany wins its match against Ecuador and snatch the pole position in Group A.

Over the past 38 years, Sweden has clashed and unbeaten on twelve occasions against England. The most recent of these, a friendly in Gothenburg in March 2004, ended in a 1-0 victory for the Swedes while their previous clash in a FIFA World Cup final in 2002 ended in a 1-1 draw.

Colors for the game
Sweden: yellow shirts, blue shorts, yellow socks
England: red shirt, white shorts, red socks

Probable Squad