Mellberg: Swedes playing for second

SWEDEN captain Olof Mellberg has already conceded top spot in Group B to England and is viewing tonight’s match against Paraguay as the decider for who takes the runners-up place.

The Swedes were bitterly disappointed with their goalless draw against Trinidad and Tobago, so much so that it led to a stand-up row between Mellberg and Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg in the dressing room after the game.

Should England beat Trinidad, and Sweden draw with Paraguay, Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side would have qualified in first place whatever the score in their final game, and Aston Villa defender Mellberg is under no illusions about his side’s position.

“In a way, we are playing for second because of the results in the first round of matches. I think we definitely expect England to beat Trinidad and Tobago, so that means we will have to look at second place in the group.

“But we’ll have to see after tomorrow. It’s such an important game and we know we need to get a result.”

Mellberg and his teammates have been attempting to play down the bust-up involving himself and Ljungberg but it is no secret that the pair, also involved in a public training ground row during the last World Cup in Japan, do not get on.

Asked if he had apologised, Mellberg said: “Apologised to Fredrik for what? Anything that happens in the dressing room or in our meetings we want to keep it to ourselves. It was impossible in this case, but you try and keep things in-house.”

Marcus Allback, the former Aston Villa striker now with FC Copenhagen, also poured cold water on suggestions the pair came to blows.

Allback said: “It was a discussion and it’s quite usual that you have that after a game when you don’t get the result you want.”

Sweden’s coach Lars Lagerback insists there will be no panic against Paraguay, who he believes may be vulnerable to set-pieces.

Lagerback said: “We’ve been in this situation before. If we play as well as we did, and create that many chances again, we’ll have a really good chance of winning the game.”

Lagerback’s only change is likely to see first-choice keeper Andreas Isaksson replace Rami Shaaban.