Sweden fell 1–2 to Denmark in a World Cup qualifier in Odense on Friday evening. The loss means the team misses a direct spot to the World Cup in Brazil next year and must go through playoffs in the autumn.
Tony Gustavsson, who took over as head coach after the European Championship, now has only two wins in nine internationals. After the match he said he understood the criticism. – I know that it is blowing now and that I receive criticism. It is important to stand steady and continue to build, Gustavsson said. Denmark took the lead in the first half through Cecilie Fløe. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd equalised early in the second half but Pernille Harder, who came off the bench, made it 2–1 in the 84th minute. Sweden face Italy on Tuesday in their final match before the playoffs begin in October.
