Sweden v South Korea, 18th June, 1pm(GMT)

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

That one was a pen, other two definitely weren't.

 

[Chris FGR]

Sweden dive a lot.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Scrappy game, ref seemed to struggle with it. Given it was a big opportunity for the winner if there was one, due to Germany's result, perhaps its not a surprise that it wasn't a classic.

Sweden created the better openings so probably deserved to edge it

Notches the pressure on Germany up just a little.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Awful game. Korea were dire in the final third.

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

I'm bored of all this VAR talk.

 

[Bilo]

A win is a win. I don't like 1-0's off a penalty, there's something wrong about them. Usually, that is. Because a win is a win and a win is worth a thousand 0-0's at San Siro when it's in the World cup. It's been 12 years and right now that feels like the blink of an eye.

This is not, talent wise, a good Swedish national team. In sports terms you speak of golden generations, and genuinely this is the exact opposite for us. Looking at what these players achieve at club level on a regular basis, it's the worst Sweden squad in my lifetime. Our front two consists of a benched Tolouse nr 10 and a scoring machine ... in Saudi Arabia. And aside from Forsberg, a good player off an average season in Leipzig, there's just nothing there. Yet we're here.

We finished second ahead of Netherlands, behind France (whom we beat) which was a magnificent feat. The manager Janne Andersson had succeeded already, we'd done more than anyone could've asked. When the draw was made for the playoff I was speaking to a Swedish man in Iraqi Kurdistan, through work, and he was telling me quite vividly how he the night before had been shot at and together with his close friend quite narrowly escaped death, through being caused in crossfire. It was some heavy shit, then midway telling me this remarkable, horrible story he pauses and says ... "Shit, we got Italy."

Our hearts dropped.

Because we both knew that this team had already achieved something remarkable, for them to do it again was ... we agreed on about one in twenty, before going over the night he was almost killed again.

It was one in Stockholm, then none in Italy and these past six months have been longer than the previous 144 since Germany knocked us out in Berlin in 2006. Group draw? Well, we were only ever gonna end up with something like Mexiko, Germany and should we finish second probably Brazil in the first knockout round.

At least we started with South Korea. This wasn't the most remarkable part of our journey, far from, but it's what this team seemingly keeps on doing. They just get there. From Stockholm to Iraq to whoever decided VAR was a good idea.

We probably need a draw against Germany, or three teams on six points where we very probably will not have the best goal difference looks likely. It probably can't be done with this group of players, but luckily, they seemingly don't give a fuck.

 

[Abertawe]

No reason Sweden can't beat Mexico

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

I've been really disappointed with the AFC teams. Iran by far the best, but even then, defensively, they offered minimal going forward.

 

[Super_horns]

VAR collecting a lot of assists !

 

[Dirk]

Bilo: Kudos! I like it when someone, in the times of facebook and twitter, takes the time for a long post (and of course I read it, no tl;dr for me here.) Thanks

It was one in Stockholm, then none in Italy and these past six months have been longer than the previous 144 since Germany knocked us out in Berlin in 2006.

Sorry for that. Hope you lot won't return the favour on Saturday . Is it really already 144 months. Still have fond memories of this world cup (although it didn't end well for us with the semi final loss against Italy (ok, we won the "little final" against Portugal)

We probably need a draw against Germany, or three teams on six points where we very probably will not have the best goal difference looks likely. It probably can't be done with this group of players, but luckily, they seemingly don't give a fuck.

the 1-0 now is not the best result we could hope for. It would be better when we both had lost, so the Swedes would have to attack too. Anyway, it is what it is.... A bit shite we'll have to wait until Saturday. It's 6 days for us, hopefully our players don't read German newspapers

 

[Steve_Wafc]

Disappointed with Korea, always expect them to be full of energy and effort. Putting Son in a defensive role is just bizarre, he’s their best attacking threat. It’s like when Pochettino used him as left wing-back against Chelsea in the fa cup semi final, made no sense.