SWEDEN COACH Erik Hamren admitted his side face an uphill struggle at Euro 2016 after a sub-par display in a 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland in their Group E opener.
Sweden failed to muster a single attempt on target and required a Ciaran Clark own goal to snatch a draw after Wes Hoolahan gave Ireland the lead at the Stade de France in Monday’s game.
“Even though we managed to come back and equalise, I am disappointed. We will need to play at 300 percent to get through,” Hamren said.
“In the first 15 minutes Ireland were superior. Physically and in the air they are very strong.”
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Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic was kept quiet for long spells by the Irish defence but did force the own goal for the equaliser after good work by John Guidetti, who had come on to replace Marcus Berg as the second striker.
Hamren added: “Going forward, our attack did not function in the first half.
“We performed better in the second half because they sat back. We also combined a bit more, notably on the left with (Martin) Olsson.
“It is positive that we did not lose but we didn’t play at our best. There is no problem with our attitude though. Sometimes it’s difficult to click right away.
“I thought nevertheless that Ibra played an important role in the goal we scored. But they defended very well against him.”
Sweden are next in action against Italy in Toulouse on Friday.
'Physically and in the air they are very strong' - Sweden boss Hamren on Ireland
SWEDEN COACH Erik Hamren admitted his side face an uphill struggle at Euro 2016 after a sub-par display in a 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland in their Group E opener.
Sweden failed to muster a single attempt on target and required a Ciaran Clark own goal to snatch a draw after Wes Hoolahan gave Ireland the lead at the Stade de France in Monday’s game.
“Even though we managed to come back and equalise, I am disappointed. We will need to play at 300 percent to get through,” Hamren said.
“In the first 15 minutes Ireland were superior. Physically and in the air they are very strong.”
Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic was kept quiet for long spells by the Irish defence but did force the own goal for the equaliser after good work by John Guidetti, who had come on to replace Marcus Berg as the second striker.
Hamren added: “Going forward, our attack did not function in the first half.
“We performed better in the second half because they sat back. We also combined a bit more, notably on the left with (Martin) Olsson.
“It is positive that we did not lose but we didn’t play at our best. There is no problem with our attitude though. Sometimes it’s difficult to click right away.
“I thought nevertheless that Ibra played an important role in the goal we scored. But they defended very well against him.”
Sweden are next in action against Italy in Toulouse on Friday.
- © AFP 2016.
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