Sweden v Paraguay - Preview

Sweden out to make up for lost ground versus Paraguay

After getting a dose of self-inflicted humiliation in early with a frustrating goalless draw against ultra-minnows Trinidad and Tobago it's time to deliver for Sweden as they bid for redemption against Paraguay here on Thursday.

The Trinidad match has clearly taken a toll on morale amid reports that skipper Olof Mellberg and team-mate Fredrik Ljungberg had a bustup after their first game.

Team spokesman Thomas Saleteg played down the row, believed to have stemmed from Ljungberg's frustration at the long balls out of the Swedish defence, making direct mention of Mellberg.

But that is behind the pair, who set aside their differencea, according to Ljungberg, who revealed several of the players had had words after Saturday's goalless draw threatening the Swedes' chances of topping the group.

"It was a little bit of an aggressive discussion but Olof and I can handle this. There are no problems between us," the Arsenal man insisted, seeking to bury hatchets as the Swedes attempt to cool down in the Berlin heat, aided by the nine pm (1900 GMT) kickoff.

Sweden are set to bring back goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson, who briefly blacked out after a freak training ground accident which saw him hit in the face by a loose ball from former Rennes team-mate Kim Kallstrom.

Reserve Rami Shaaban kept a clean sheet against Trinidad and Tobago but with Swedish nerves already frayed enough Lagerback plans to go with his first choice if possible against a side who need to go all out for three points after their narrow opening-match loss to England.

Paraguay have had their own goalkeeping problems, with Justo Villar out of the tournament after injuring a calf muscle in the early stages against England.

But deputy Aldo Bobadilla of Asuncion side Libertad says he is ready to shine in Villar's place.

"I'm confident in my ability and I've been working hard to ensure I win the confidence of the coach. I will do all I can to ensure that confidence is not misplaced," he told reporters.

The South American side's coach Anibal "Maño" Ruiz insists his men can reach round two for the third successive time.

"Sweden is one of the teams that we think are about our level," he opined.

With the Paraguayans' last match against what they hope will be a flagging Trinidad and Tobago on June 20 in Kaiserslautern, they are aware that a result against the Swedes could give them at least an even chance of second place in the group.

Teams

Sweden

Andreas Isaksson, Olof Mellberg (capt), Teddy Lucic, Erik Edman, Tobias Linderoth, Niclas Alexandersson, Kim Kallstrom, Freddie Ljungberg, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrik Larsson, Christian Wilhelmsson: Coach: Lars Lagerback

Paraguay

Aldo Bobadilla, Jorge Nunez, Carlos Gamarra (capt), Julio Cesar Caceras, Carlos Bonet, Roberto Acuna, Carlos Paredes, Cristian Riveros, Nelson Valdez, Roque Santa Cruz, Denis Caniza: Coach: Anibal Ruiz

Referee

Michel Lubos (SVK)