WE’LL KEEP KANE QUIET
Gran plans for Harry
ANDREAS GRANQVIST claims that Sweden can shatter England’s World Cup dream by snuffing out Harry Kane.
The Swedes go into this afternoon’s quarter-final focused on keeping the tournament’s top scorer quiet.
Kane has scored six goals in three games so far and Swedish captain Granqvist reckons the Three Lions can be tamed by cutting his supply line.
The former Wigan defender stopped short of saying England are a one-man team.
But he said of Kane: “He is incredibly skilled, not just on penalties, but as a striker – he is good at everything.
“It’s going to be a very tough match against him but we are going to do everything to stop him.
“We have been very strong on set-pieces. But this is one of England’s strengths as well and they have Harry Kane, who is really dangerous in the penalty box.
“We need to be very strong in the box and make sure they don’t get the service they need.”
Seven of England’s nine goals so far have come from set-pieces. But in Sweden, Granqvist believes, they have met their match.
“Set-piece situations will be key,” he said. “For the first time, I feel, we meet a country who is more or less on a par with us in that respect.
“So that will be a fight to get the first ball but overall, to win this game, you need to get everything right, not just one particular detail.”
Sweden’s progress into the last eight
has been build on a mean backline – they’ve kept three clean sheets so far, only conceding in their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Germany.
“Our strength is our collective defence, which we’ve shown in our matches so far,” said Granqvist.
“Over a two-year period, we’ve really built our self-confidence. There is a lot of joy and an open atmosphere in this squad.
Together
“And as you keep winning, that keeps growing.
“We might not have on paper the best individuals but as a team we’re very high achievers.
“We do everything together, on and off the pitch, and that has made us successful.”
Granqvist’s wife Sofie gave birth to daughter Mika two days ago but told
her husband to stay with his squad and focus on the England game.
He added: “I didn’t sleep very much last night, so I’m glad it’s happened now.
“My wife did a wonderful job and everything went well.
“It’s quite simple: getting a daughter is the most beautiful thing you can get.”
Sweden have no injury concerns but they will be missing suspended Celtic defender Mikael Lustig.
And if it comes down to penalties, boss Janne Andersson insists they will be just as well-prepared as England.
He said: “I believe in being thorough, so we have prepared how we are going to deal with extra-time and also with penalties.
“We have our approach and ideas of who is going to take penalties.”