Ljungberg doesn't start for Sweden

Freddie Ljungberg failed in his late bid to make a return to the Sweden side for the World Cup second-round clash with Senegal in Oita.

Ljungberg was able to train for the first time in a week yesterday, albeit not at full pace, following a recurrence of an ongoing hip injury which is currently wrecking his tournament dreams.

The Arsenal midfield star had been limping and was in pain in the early part of the week due to what team doctor Magnus Forssblad has described as ‘‘a locking’’ of the joint.

Although that eased and Ljungberg was initially able to enjoy pool exercises before joining his team-mates at the impressive Big Eye Stadium yesterday, he ultimately failed a late fitness test.

It meant coaches Tommy Soderberg and Lars Lagerback naming an unchanged team from the one which dramatically drew with Argentina on Wednesday, a result which confirmed Sweden’s place in the last 16.

Senegal, bidding to become only the second African side to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament, with Cameroon the initial trailblazers at Italia 90, were forced into one definite change.

Coach Bruno Metsu was again without Salif Diao, completing a two-match ban, but also Khalilou Fadiga after the key midfielder picked up his second booking of the competition in the enthralling 3-3 draw with Uruguay.

With Alassane Ndour dropped to the bench, Metsu drafted in Amdy Faye from Auxerre and Pape Thiaw, the Strasbourg striker making his tournament debut.