Group 4: Allbäck to mine for goals

By Marcus Christenson

Marcus Allbäck will spearhead Sweden's challenge when they take on Poland on Wednesday, while Hungary travel to San Marino in the other UEFA EURO 2004™ Group 4 qualifier.

Larsson's mantle 
With Henrik Larsson having retired from international football, it has fallen to Allbäck to lead the line for Sweden. He scored twice in Saturday's 6-0 win against San Marino, but was put in the shade by his striking partner Mattias Jonson who scooped a hat-trick. However, Allbäck is more than ready to take over the Celtic FC forward's mantle.

Taking the stage
"I am someone who likes responsibility so if people see me as Henke's replacement then that is OK by me," he told uefa.com. "Of course, it is a shame he has quit but that is his decision and we have to accept it. Now it is up to someone else to step forward and grab their chance."

Polish challenge
If that someone is Allbäck then Sweden also need the Aston Villa FC man to take whatever opportunities come his way. After being eliminated in the second round of the 2002 FIFA World Cup against Senegal, the Scandinavians got off to a stuttering start in Group 4 with draws against Latvia and Hungary. Wins against San Marino and Hungary have restored confidence, but Allbäck knows that three points are a must from the home game against Poland, who are a point behind the second-placed Swedes in the section.

'We have to win'
He said: "We have to win but Poland are a good team and, together with Hungary, are the most difficult opponents in the group on paper. The [2-1] away win against the Hungarians made things look a lot better but the game against Poland is extremely important."

Unhappy memories
Poland will not lack motivation either as it was a 2-0 defeat by Sweden in Stockholm in October 1999 that denied them a place at EURO 2000™. Coach Pawel Janas said: "A draw would not be such a bad result for us but we are going there to win the match."

Team changes
Janas has pledged to use central midfield player Miroslaw Szymkowiak on the right to nullify the threat of Fredrik Ljungberg, and also looks set to employ defender Jacek Bak as a defensive midfield player. However, his plans have been hampered by injuries to two members of his 22-man squad, Radoslaw Sobolewski and Emmanuel Olisadebe.

Allbäck confident
Not that the Swedish trip holds any fears for Janas's players, according to goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek. "We don't think about our opponents, we concentrate on ourselves," he said. "It is good to play away, because we always do well on the break with our fast wingers and forwards." Yet despite the competition, Allbäck is confident of a win and a place in Portugal next summer. "There is no doubt about it," he said. "I am 100 per cent sure we will be there."

Hungarian challenge
Hungary, who play San Marino on Wednesday, could have something to say about that. Third in the group, level on points with Sweden, they could overhaul leaders Latvia, upon whom they inflicted a first defeat of the campaign on Saturday, with a victory in Serravalle. However, both Poland and Sweden have a game in hand on Imre Gellei's side.

Additional reporting by Maciej Iwanski