Wernbloom secures Swedish victory against Hungary
Sweden won the first game of their 2012 European championship qualifying campaign on Friday evening, overcoming a bleak Hungarian side to win 2-0.
Both goals were scored by AZ Alkmaar’s Pontus Wernbloom, who had been given the nod ahead of Kim Kallstrom in manager Erik Hamren's central midfield.
Led by returning captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who played his first competitive fixture after a ten-month break from international football, Sweden produced a handful of promising chances during the first half.
With five minutes played, the captain produced a deep through ball to Wernbloom, who failed to connect after making a charging run into the box from midfield.
After a quiet start to the match, Ibrahimovic showcased more of his passing genius when he put attacking partner Ola Toivonen through on goal.
With his back to Toivonen and three Hungarian defenders anticipating his next move, Ibrahimovic played a quick and unexpected ball that begged a strong finish from the PSV Eindhoven playmaker, but his toe-punted shot was saved by Gabor Kiraly in Hungary’s goal.
Sweden continued to keep possession in the remainder of the first half, with the best chance handed to Ibrahimovic after 39 minutes.
Emir Bajrami continued a fine succession of passes by teeing up the striker on the edge of the box, but as he prepared to slam the ball into the half-open goal, Ibrahimovic’s left foot failed him and the tame shot rolled wide of the goal.
Hungary’s hopes of catching Sweden on the counter attack dwindled as playmaker Balazs Dzsudzak was substituted at half time. Swedish keeper Andreas Isaksson also had to come off for Johan Wiland.
Crunch time in the second half
Sweden looked recharged after the break but failed to produce chances in the final third of the pitch. In the 51st minute, though, a scoring opportunity arrived when Wernbloom made up for failing to connect with Ibrahimovic’s first-half pass by claiming his first international goal.
Birmingham’s Sebastian Larsson, on for Johan Elmander after 48 minutes, cut around Hungary’s Zsolt Laczko to send a curling cross into the box, where the midfielder capped off another well-timed attacking run by decisively heading the ball into the Hungarian goal.
After 57 minutes, Hungary’s Vladimir Koman played a quick exchange at the edge of the Swedish penalty box to make room for a shot only to smash his effort into Wiland’s side-netting.
Ibrahimovic’s 67th-minute free kick forced Kiraly to dive to his right, but it was clear it would take a better effort to beat the Hungarian keeper on the night.
Wernbloom doubles his tally
Toivonen and Bajrami both failed to get on the end of low crosses in the 72nd minute, but on the corner that resulted from Bajrami’s attempt Wernbloom turned his tally into a brace.
Substitute Kallstrom’s in-swinging corner was headed against the bar by the midfielder, who reacted quickly to tap his own rebound into the empty net.
Hamren’s comfortable side managed to hold off Hungary’s remaining attacks, winning its first qualifier without great conviction, but also without faltering.
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