Sweden Must Defeat Kosovo for World Championship Qualification Hopes

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Sweden Must Defeat Kosovo for World Championship Qualification Hopes
Photo: Stefan Jerrevång/TT

World Championship qualification is so far a complete Swedish failure. Yet, to the highest degree, there is a chance to reach the finals in North America next summer. But then the battered national team must start by winning against Kosovo. It is an absolute must.

Here is a guide before the meeting.

What: World Championship qualification, men, group B

Where: Ullevi, Gothenburg

When: Monday, 20.45

TV/radio: Viaplay/P4 radiosporten.

Recovered?: The 0-2 defeat against Switzerland at Strawberry arena really hurt - not least because the national team was booed by large parts of the audience afterwards. Only a few days later, the national team must rise and show whether it individually and collectively has the mentality required to succeed.

National team manager's job in danger?: The calls for his resignation are becoming increasingly loud and clear, but the players say they stand behind Jon Dahl Tomasson, as does the association management. His contract expires after the World Championship qualification but is automatically extended if he can take the team to the World Championship.

Starting eleven: Tomasson mixes and gives fresh. For various reasons, he changed six players against Switzerland from the eleven that started against Kosovo in September. New gift against Kosovo?

The way to the World Championship: Forget the group victory, Switzerland will take it. Second place gives playoff matches in March. Sweden can also scrape together a playoff even if second place is missed, thanks to the group victory in the Nations League last autumn.

Latest meeting: Rarely has the national team delivered a performance as bad as the one in Pristina. It was a stormy sea on the pitch when Kosovo countered a confused and disorganized Sweden and won 2-0.

Situation in the group: Switzerland has full pot, nine points and 9-0, Kosovo is second with four points followed by Slovenia with two. Sweden is at the bottom with one point.

Kosovo: Played 0-0 at home against Slovenia on Friday. Still missing defensive star and team captain Amir Rrahmani, Napoli. Starter Elvis Rexhbecaj has withdrawn. Defender Fidan Aliti, who has played for Kalmar FF, is suspended after two yellow cards.

The teams:

Sweden:

Goalkeepers: Viktor Johansson, Stoke, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, AIK, Noel Törnqvist, Mjällby.

Defenders: Gabriel Gudmundsson, Leeds, Hjalmar Ekdal, Burnley, Isak Hien, Atalanta, Emil Holm, Bologna, Carl Starfelt, Celta Vigo, Victor Nilsson Lindelöf, Aston Villa, Ken Sema, Pafos, Daniel Svensson, Dortmund, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Braga.

Midfielders/forwards: Yasin Ayari, Brighton, Roony Bardghji, Barcelona, Alexander Bernhardsson, Kiel, Anthony Elanga, Newcastle, Jesper Karlström, Udinese, Hugo Larsson, Eintracht Frankfurt, Benjamin Nygren, Celtic, Anton Salétros, AIK, Jordan Larsson, Copenhagen, Alexander Isak, Liverpool, Lucas Bergvall, Tottenham, Niclas Eliasson, AEK Athens, Viktor Gyökeres, Arsenal.

National team manager: Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Kosovo:

Goalkeepers: Arijanet Muric, Sassuolo, Visar Bekaj, Hatayspor, Amir Saipi, Lugano.

Defenders: Dion Gallapeni, Widzew Lodz, Ilir Krasnoqi, Kolos Kovalivka, Albian Hajdari, Hoffenheim, Leard Sadriu, Arges, Kreshnik Hajrizi, Sion.

Midfielders: Mergim Vojvoda, Como, Leon Avdullahu, Hoffenheim, Florent Musilja, Düsseldorf, Valon Berisha, Lask, Milot Rashica, Besiktas, Veldin Hodza, Rubin Kazan, Muharrem Jashari, LNZ, Meriton Korenica, Cluj, Ermal Krasniqi, Legia Warszawa.

Forwards: Vedat Muriqi, Mallorca, Albion Rrahmani, Sparta Prague, Fisnik Asllani, Hoffenheim, Edon Zhegrova, Juventus.

National team manager: Franco Foda.

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