STOCKHOLM, Sweden: Sweden dominated play for much of the match but had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Portugal in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic nearly grabbed a late winner for Sweden in the 78th minute when he fired a left-foot drive from just outside the box, but Portugal goalkeeper Quim got his gloves on the ball and tipped it away.

Ibrahimovic, Sweden’s captain in the absence of the injured Henrik Larsson, got his second yellow card during the qualifying campaign in the 35th minute, which means he is suspended when Sweden faces Portugal on March 28 in Lisbon.

Despite failing to capitalize on its many chances, Ibrahimovic was happy with the draw.

“I’m satisfied,” he said. “We should have won, but one point is better than no point.”
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Denmark leads Group 1 with seven points after beating Malta 3-0 in Copenhagen. Sweden is second with five and Portugal third with four. All teams have played three games.

After being outplayed in the first half, Portugal improved in the second.

Joao Moutinho’s right-foot drive in the 52nd minute from outside the box was tipped out by goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson.

Three minutes later, Raul Meireles’ shot from outside the box went wide.

Sweden was missing six injured regulars but still outplayed Portugal in the first half and missed a handful of chances.

Johan Elmander was dangerous throughout, but he failed to capitalize. In the fourth minute, the tall Bolton striker nearly got his foot on the ball from close range.

Three minutes later, Elmander’s angled shot from the right went just wide from inside box when he took a nice pass from Ibrahimovic after heavy Swedish pressure.

In the 17th, Elmander headed just over crossbar, and later volleyed high from close range. In the 39th, his header flew just wide of the right post.

Cristiano Ronaldo, playing his first match for Portugal since undergoing ankle injury after the European Championship in June, was neutralized by Sweden’s tight defense in the first half.

Ronaldo had Portugal’s only scoring chance in the 34th minute when he was left unmarked inside the box, but the Manchester United winger’s shot went over the crossbar.

“Sweden played better than us in the first half,” Ronaldo said. “In the second, I think Portugal played better. I think the draw is a good result. I’m fit for all games now. I felt good. I want to carry on like that.

“It was very good to play here, good atmosphere. There were beautiful people in the crowd.”

Sweden was also missing defender Olof Mellberg and midfielders Christian Wilhelmsson, Tobias Linderoth and Anders Svensson because of injuries.

Author: GolTelevision
Keywords: sport calcio sweden portugal suecià puertogal portougal portogallo svezia 0-0 pareggio cristiano ronaldo ibrahimovic tv golo goal all goals highiligts sintesi world cup 2010 wc wc2010 south africa sud
Added: October 12, 2008

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