Hamren targets Ireland in battle to reach Brazil

SWEDEN coach Erik Hamren has targeted the matches against the Republic of Ireland as his side’s best chances of finishing second in World Cup qualifying Group C after Saturday night’s draw.

Germany team manager Olivier Bierhoff, meanwhile, warned Hamren that Sweden will find it tough against the Irish. Bierhoff said: “In the rankings, Ireland are behind Sweden, but we see them as being as strong as Sweden,” he said.

“Our players love playing in Ireland — it’s always a great atmosphere. The pressure on the German national team is high every time. But we can do it.”

Top seeds and group favourites Germany were delighted to have avoided France from pot two — with newspaper Bild even running the headline ‘Thank you Ronaldo!’ — even though they were wary of Ireland’s decent record against them: five wins and four draws in 16 matches.

Sweden were disappointed to be paired with the Germans, and not the two other top seeds that were available, Norway and Greece. Both teams, though, were nervous about Ireland’s presence in the group:

“Germany is a great team, of course, but behind them is Ireland and Austria and they will be tough too,” said Hamren. “We are still major contenders but none of these games will be easy.”

Swedish paper Aftonbladet noted that the Dublin fixture may have an extra frisson given that the last Swede to have an impact on Irish football was referee Martin Hansson, who controversially allowed France’s handball goal in Paris in 2009.

Austria, on the other hand, will be more focused on beating neighbours Germany than qualifying, according to their coach Dietmar Constantini.

“Everything has to be absolutely perfect to stand any chance of beating Germany, the third ranked team in the world,” he said. “In fact though, for the Austrian people, beating Germany is probably more important than reaching the finals themselves.”