Fates spare Sweden in Malta
Wednesday 9 September 2009
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Zlatan Ibrahimović was given a rough ride in Malta (©Domenic Aquilina)
Sweden needed a late own goal from Malta defender Ian Azzopardi to secure the victory they needed to stay in contention for automatic passage to the FIFA World Cup from Group 1.
Twist of fate
The Scandinavians needed a last-gasp intervention from Zlatan Ibrahimović to see off Hungary in Budapest on Saturday, and were thankful for a stroke of luck nine minutes of time as they got the better of Malta, with defender Azzopardi miscuing past his goalkeeper Andrew Hogg to deny the hosts a share of the spoils. Sweden dominated possession throughout, but in their third game under new coach John Buttigieg, Malta effectively stifled Zlatan Ibrahimović, with Hogg playing his part in a valiant defensive display.
Upcoming games
Michael Mifsud and Andrew Cohen had threatened on the break for Malta, but Azzopardi contrived to deny them what would have been a well-deserved point. Sweden visit section leaders Denmark in their next game on 10 October, with Malta's next game coming in Portugal four days later.
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