Sweden boss eyes inspired performance against the Netherlands
Erik Hamren, Sweden's national team manager, has said that his team is confident ahead of Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier against the Netherlands.
Sweden are undefeated in Group E so far, having beaten Hungary 2–0 and San Marino 6–0. On Tuesday, the Netherlands will prove a stern test for the group leaders, as they travel to Amsterdam to face the current runners-up.
"Now is when it gets serious. I think we can win this game, I can feel it," said Hamren, who took charge of the Swedish team after Lars Lagerback failed to reach the 2010 World Cup last year.
After an impressive run of six straight victories in friendlies and competitive fixtures, Hamren said that his team has the confidence they will need to upset the Bert van Marwijk's side at the Amsterdam Arena.
"But that requires a top performance, physically and technically—totally speaking. We have to be very good to win. We are good, we have won the last six games and we have faith in what we are doing. But we have lots of respect for the Netherlands, they are
ranked second in the world and we are 32nd."
Sweden must stop Wesley Sneijder
Hamren's team, for whom AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic has made a celebrated return, will be without Olof Mellberg in Amsterdam, as the Olympiacos FC defender picked up a red card against San Marino.
To secure any points against the Netherlands, Ibrahimovic will need to inspire the Swedish team at the stadium of his former club Ajax Amsterdam.
Hamren also said that stopping Inter Milan's influential playmaker Wesley Sneijder, another former Ajax player, will be critical to Sweden's performance in the game.
"He is their playmaker. If he gets too much time, it is often he who plays the final ball or scores. He must not get too much time on the ball."
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