Pia Sundhage has called up a strong squad for the two European qualifiers against Poland (2nd June, at the National Arena) and Moldova (6th June, the National Day of Sweden). Sweden are halfway through their qualifying campaign, and so far they have a perfect record. They’ve won all of their matches and they are yet to concede a goal.
Despite the good start to the campaign, Sweden’s head coach is wary of the opposition. Speaking to svenskfotboll.se, Sundhage said that “Poland are a good team” before stating that Moldova are "good at the back" and they "need to have speed behind the ball" to break them down.
Asllani back in Pia’s good graces
Manchester City’s Kosovare Asllani has been absent from Sweden’s squad ever since the World Cup in Canada, but she has obviously done enough at her new club to earn her a call-up. Sundhage told Aftonbladet that ‘the positive environment she [Asllani] is in” has contributed to her re-selection. “Personally I am very happy that such a good player is back,” Sundhage concluded.
Other notable additions to the squad is FC Rosengård’s Amanda Ilestedt and Eskilstuna United's Malin Diaz, who are both back from injuries. The team will, however, be without defensive rock Nilla Fischer. The VfL Wolfsburg player has declined her spot for personal reasons.
The squad in full
Goalkeepers: Hilda Carlén (Pteå IF), Hedvig Lindahl (Chelsea Ladies FC), Emelie Lundberg (Eskilstuna United DFF).
Defenders: Jonna Andersson (Linköpings FC), Emma Berglund (FC Rosengård), Magdalena Ericsson (Linköpings FC), Freja Hellenberg (Kopparsbergs/Göteborg FC), Amanda Ilested (FC Rosengård), Lina Nilsson (FC Rosengård), Jessica Samuelsson (Linköpings FC), Linda Sembrant (Montpellier Hérault SC).
Midfielders: Malin Diaz (Eskilstuna United DFF), Josefin Johansson (Piteå IF), Lisa Dahlkvist (PSG), Elin Rubensson (Kopparsbergs/Göteborg FC), Caroline Seger (PSG).
Forwards/Wingers: Kosovare Asllani (Manchester City WFC), Stina Blackstenius (Linköpings FC), Pauline Hammarlund (Kopparsbergs/Göteborg FC), Sofia Jakobsson (Montpellier Hérault SC), Fridolina Rolfö (Linköpings FC), Lotta Schelin (Lyon), Olivia Schough (Eskilstuna United DFF).