Swiss football journalists were on Friday surprised that Elanga did not play.
Prior to the meeting with Kosovo, the national team captain often talked about Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres and Elanga as the big Swedish stars and threats.
But when national team captain Jon Dahl Tomasson announced the starting eleven, Elanga was once again outside the team.
Surprised?
As a player, you always want to play, he says.
Deeply disappointed
After the third consecutive loss in qualifying – and also the third consecutive match without a single goal produced – he was deeply disappointed.
It's not easy to talk now. It was not good enough in the second half. We really wanted to push on.
Elanga was one of a trio of players who came in at half-time. Then Kosovo led 1–0 – a result that stood for the rest of the match.
As a player, you always want to come in and contribute and create opportunities. But it didn't happen. I thought all the time that we could turn the match around.
He thanked the audience for their support despite all the boos.
They have supported us well. Thanks for coming, sorry that we lost, he says.
Take responsibility
What do you say about losing three consecutive matches?
There's a lot you can talk about. It's up to us to take responsibility on the pitch. We can have a playing style, we can have a formation, but then it's up to us to really want to go to the World Championship.
How do you see Jon Dahl Tomasson's future?
I'm a football player, I talk on the pitch. I cannot make that decision. It's up to those who brought him in to decide.
Do you have Jon Dahl Tomasson's trust?
- It's his decision. I cannot comment on it in any other way. I can only focus on what I should do if I play.
