Sweden edged Moldova 2-1 on Tuesday at the Rasunda Fotbollstadion thanks to Lustig and Larsson late goals that propelled Erik Hamren’s side second in the group E. On the other side, Moldova struggled to grab at least one point that could have helped them go third in the same group. Suvorov scored a meaningless goal for the visitors who remain now fourth in the standings. The first minutes of the game found both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kallstrom missing several chances that should have tested keeper Namasco harder.
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Granqvist tried his luck with a 25-yarder the same Suvorov was equal to. Sweden won a free-kick in a pretty dangerous area in the 22nd but the scoreboard remained unchanged. Eight minutes later, the home side would bring the opener through Lustig, who scored his first international goal following a great action from the hosts. With one minute left from the first part, the home side won even a penalty. Ibrahimovic assumed it, but missed it in what could have been a turning point. So, the half time went 1-0 with Sweden receiving a yaellow in the 20th minute. The break brought the first substitution for the visitors. Balint replaced striker Frunza with Bugaiov.
As for the second half, it brought two more goals, one for each side. Sweden made it 2-0 in the 82nd minute through Larsson whose superb finish beat Namasco for the second time to bring the relief. But the last word belonged to Suvorov who managed to score a consolation in the 90th minute. Unfortunately for Balint, Moldova conceded their third victory of the qualifiers, but it remains to be seen whether they will grab the second spot.
Erik Hamren introduced Elm, Gerndt and Olsson, while Balint made two more changes, introducing Andronic and Cheptine for Gatcan and Doros. Moldova are fourth with six points in five games, while Sweden, by contrast, sit second with nine points in four games, their only loss coming against leaders Holland, while the other two victories came against San Marino and Hungary.
Moldova beat Finland 2-0 and San Marino 2-0 in the first leg and lost to Hungary, the Netherlands and Sweden. Balint’s side will next meet the same Sweden on June 3, the same day San Marino meet Finland. Hungary sit third in the group with nine points won in six games, while Finland and San Marino are fifth and sixth with three and zero points respectively. San Marino has conceded 29 goals and scored zero. Finland and Hungary beat them 8-0, while Holland and Sweden eased past the minnows 6-0.
Sweden – Isaksson; Wendt, Antonsson, Granqvist, Lusting; Wernbloom, Kallstrom; Bajrami, Elmander, Parsson; Ibrahimovic. Reserves: J. Olsson, M. Olsson, C. Wilhelmsson, M. Rosenberg, J. Wiland, R. Elm, A. Gerndt.
Moldova – Namasco; Racu, Golovatenco, Armas, Bolokhan; Boret, Cebotaru, Gatcan, Suvorov; Frunza, Doros. Reserves: S. Bulgaru, V. Andronic, N. Calancea, A. Cheptine, S. Gheorghiev, M. Potirniche, I. Bugaiov.
