Greetings from a slightly (
) colder part of the world and congratulations on earning a place in the WC! I'm glad to have found my way to your forum as I must confess my knowledge of T&T football is rather limited, and the reports in our national newspapers and tv isn't quite as helpful as one would like concerning T&T.
When talking to other swedes about the opening game many seem to think T&T will be an easy win for us, a view I suppose stems from the fact that we know very little about T&T football. The only player most people recognize is Dwight Yorke (from his very successful spell in Man U). As the English premier league is televised live every saturday (and has been since the 70s), some of us are also acquainted with Shaka Hislop and the, in my view, excellent Stern John. Having been to Ibrox a few times, Big Marv is also on that list. Other than that I (we) know very little. Reading about your pre-WC friendlys vs Rapid Wien and Wales, it seems you have some work to do before opening day. On the other hand, your win against Iceland showes some of your potential.
Our own friendlys have not been exactly thrilling affairs to be honest, a small comfort is the fact that our three big stars have been rested and hopefully they can bring some class to our offence. The starting forward line-up will (barring injury) be Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Henrik Larsson is an integral player for us, and having just returend from a Champions League win with his Barcelona, seems to be better than ever. He has great vision and superb stamina, often running the defence ragged in the second half. Not as fast anymore (he is 34 years old), but a player who makes his teammates better. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has had a rather slow season in Juventus, but they did win the Italian league and he has been their starting forward (although he hasn't scored a lot this year). He is a big and strong player, with excellent technique and often does the unexpected. When these two are playing well they are a match for any defence in the world and they complement each other very well. Our back-up forwards are not in the same league (Rosenberg playing in Ajax is a speedy forward, good in the box but very much reliant on others to make the play. Allback won the goalscoring title in the Danish league, and is a typical poacher - invicible for long streches of time, but has a great feel for the goal and deacent first touch). Our third major player is unfoubtedly Fredrik Ljungberg of Arsenal, recent runners-up in the Champions League. Ljungberg is a speedy mid-fielder who runs his heart out in every game. In Arsenal, as well as in the national team, he typically makes runs from a winger position in deep behind the cental defence creating an extra dimension of attack, drawing coverage and making space for his teammates. Ljungberg scored seven or eight goals in the qualifiers and is the player who draws more fouls and yellow cards than any other in the premier league (mostly due to his very quick accelerations). Actually the fastest player in Arsenal (beating even Thierry Henry) over six yards.
Our midfield, apart from Ljungberg, consist of Kim Kallstrom, Tobias Linderoth, Christian Wilhelmsson. Linderoth is our "cleaner", the link between the defence and the midfield, he is like a terrier - rather small, very tough and tireless - and he is the key to our defenceive play. Kallstrom recently signed for French champions Lyon and is a left-footed, creative midfielder with good vision and a great shot, a bit slow sometimes and still very young - we're hoping this will be his break through tournament. As for the right side of mid-field, this spot is still open and must be considered our weak spot. Wilhelmsson of Anderlecht has been playing there in the qualifiers, but his form is rather poor. At his best he is a quick, irrational player who likes to challenge his opponents. We all hope he gets it together in time, because our options for this position are not all that good.
The defence is usually solid, although injury to our central defender and captain Mellberg (Aston Villa) makes matters more uncertain. He is playing again but has not had much of a season. Commanding in the air and supprisinly quick, he must be at his best if we are to progress. Right now it seems to be either Teddy Lucic (former Bundesliga and EPL-player, now in a domestic club) or Petter Hansson (Herenveen, Holland) who will play alongside Mellberg. They are similar in style - tall, decent with the ball and good markers. Neither is particularly quick (unfortunately), but both are quite experianced. Left back Erik Edman (Rennes, France) is also coming back from injury. An attacking left back with a great left foot. Good tackler and decent speed. Having no natural right back in the team, the choise will either be Alexandersson (defensive mid-fielder now playing domstically) or Mikael Nilsson (Panathinaikos, Greece). Nilsson has looked the better of the two in the friendlies, but we'll see who Coach Lagerback will choose come game day.
Sweden will play 4-4-2 with a solid, organized defence and several different attacking options. Traditionally we have relied on speed in the mid-field and counter attack football, but with Zlatan in the team we can now much more than before also hold the ball in attack. Sweden has, as usual under coach Lagerback, looked solid in the qualifiers, but now the real test begins.
How will T&T be playing? From what I have seen and read you seem to play 4-3-3, but effectivly play 4-5-1 when under preassure. Your central defence seem big and strong, but perhaps lacking a bit in pace? Stern John presents a real danger to the opposition, but how can you keep him from being isolated? What are your strong and weak points in defence and attack? Who are your most important players? Whats your game plan?
What are your view on the opening game?
