Swedes must ensure Aviva fans silenced, says Larsson

Few nations visiting the rebuilt Lansdowne Road have been greeted by a raucous atmosphere but Seb Larsson admitted last night that Sweden’s ambitions of getting a result may hinge on quietening the home crowd.

With the FAI confirming only 500 tickets remain for the World Cup qualifier, Ireland will enjoy the rare fillip of a full-house backing their quest to sweep clear of the Swedes and Austria in the chase for a play-off spot.

Larsson, a Sunderland teammate of Ireland’s John O’Shea and James McClean, sees his Swedish side producing an improvement in performance from the scoreless draw against Ireland in Stockholm last March.

Neutralising the Dublin crowd forms part of that plan.

“We’re coming here to win this game,” claimed the 28-year-old. “I expect a massive support for Ireland as their fans are well known for being fanatical and loud. It will be a challenge to silence them but there will be a benefit in doing so.

“I think we have a better team — but I don’t underestimate Ireland at all.

“In Stockholm, we didn’t reach our level at all. Ireland are a solid, hard-working team, yet we intend doing things much better this time.”

Though the business end of the campaign is nigh, with four qualifiers left for each nation, Larsson doesn’t put store in the notion tonight’s result against their rivals will be definitive.

“It’s really a four-game mini-league at this stage for second place,” he said. “Ourselves, Austria and Ireland all play each other once more, and have to face Germany too, so there are plenty of points still to play for.

“It doesn’t matter in what order we get the points because I believe that we are good enough to qualify for the World Cup.”

Despite some surprise in these parts that McClean kept his place ahead of newcomer Anthony Pilkington, Larsson made it clear Giovanni Trapattoni’s decision wasn’t what he wanted to hear.

“James is someone who plays without fear and we’ll need to keep an eye on him,” said his former Black Cats clubmate. “He’s just goes for it and isn’t afraid of making a mistake, something not every player has.”

Sitting quietly beside Larsson was Sweden manager Erik Hamren, seemingly unaware of the starting team Trapattoni earlier announced.

While Hamren expressed surprise at the inclusion of fit-again Richard Dunne, he is confident of getting a win. “This will be different to Stockholm — a more open game with Ireland coming at us. That may allow us find the space in behind them to play the ball into. We have a plan and possibilities through substitutions to change things. Also, we will battle if we will battle. I’m convinced we will succeed.”