Traditional tournament team Sweden found the going tough in Tirana as a solid Albania side held them to a goalless draw inside the Qemal Stafa Stadium.
Despite having established stars such as Henrik Larsson (winning his 100th cap as captain), Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kim Kallstrom in their starting line-up, the Scandinavians were unable to find a way past Albanian keeper Beqaj.
Ibrahimović denied
Zlatan Ibrahimović hit the post and Larsson went close twice, but the home side had their share of the chances in Tirana as new coach Arie Haan was able to maintain his record of never losing his competitive debut in charge of any team.
Injury woes
Already missing the injured Christian Wilhelmsson, Anders Svensson and Johan Elmander, Sweden lost Tobias Linderoth to a knock within five minutes and were put on the back foot as Jahmir Hyka and Klodian Duro forced saves from goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson. The Scandinavian side responded with swift counterattacks and Ibrahimović’s shot rattled the woodwork in the 15th minute. Larsson also threatened a breakthrough after 32 minutes and did so again just before the hour mark, before Ibrahimović was denied by Albania goalkeeper Arjan Beqaj.
Haan satisfied
Dutchman Haan, a former Cameroon and China coach, said: “I have never lost my first match with any of the national teams I have coached, and I didn’t expect to do so today. Our players played very well technically and tactically and didn’t give Sweden space. I am very happy with the draw. It was a well-deserved point and it was a fair result for both teams.”
Albania: Beqaj, Lala, Dallku, Curri, Bakaj, Skela (Agolli 84), Salihi (Berisha 75), Hyka, Duro, Vangjeli, Cana
Sweden: Isaksson, Andersson, Majstorovic, Mellberg, Hansson, Wendt (Stoor 78), Nilsson, Kallstrom (Holmen 84), Linderoth (S. Larsson 6) H. Larsson, Ibrahimovic
