Sweden draw 1-1 in final game before World Cup

So Sweden yet again failed to win an international match. Yes, it was a friendly. Yes, there were positive signs; however, questions must be asked about the ability of our defense to deal with pace.

First the positives: Henrik Larsson proved once again that he really is in a class above any other Swedish player. Composed on the ball, full of good running off the ball, he made his class show with a perfectly weighted free kick after 31 minutes had been played. From 26 meters out he hit the ball with pace and some spin and completely wrong-footed Chile’s ‘keeper.

Sweden could have already been a goal up if Fredrik Ljungberg had scored after Ibrahimovic put him through on goal. Freddie seemed to be pretty fit although his influence on the game waned and he was replaced by Kim Källström at half-time. Källström looked fitter and more up for the match than Ljungberg but that’s understandable: he has more to prove. Still, he didn’t find a way through the Chilean defense.

The other positive thing to come from this match was the performance of Anders Svensson. Personally, I’m not convinced he can cut it against top international sides but he played like a man who had something to prove and came close to scoring.

Worryingly, Swedish defense looks two yards off the pace. Chile’s equalizer came from pure bad defending. Melberg and Lucic didn’t close down Jorge Valdiva who played the ball through them allowing Suazo to score.

In two weeks time this game will be forgotten completely. It wasn’t a dress rehearsal because Lagerbäck made too many changes and tried different things. At the very least it should be beginning to dawn on him that Olof Mellberg isn’t the player he was four years ago.

Can we now go on and win our first game in four attempts? Here’s hoping. On tonight’s evidence there are positive signs, but I’m not sure it will be enough. Then again, perhaps it will be alright on the night