Tuesday, 9th September, 2014



Sweden skipper Zlatan Ibrahimovic was pleased after his side rescued a 1-1 draw with Austria in a 2016 European Championship qualifier last night.

Bayern Munich full-back David Alaba’s seventh-minute spot-kick gave Austria an early advantage at the Ernst Happel Stadion.




But the hosts’ lead was short-lived as Sweden equalised just five minutes later when Ibrahimovic headed a free-kick down for Erkan Zengin to slot home.

And the Paris Saint-Germain star, who was aware that Sweden tasted defeat at the same venue in a World Cup qualifying game last year, was hence pleased with a point from the fixture.
 


“I think it was a good point today. It was a difficult game. Last time we were here, we lost”, he told UEFA’s official site.  

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“Today we did better. We were ready for the game, we take one point with us, we are satisfied.

“[For Erkan Zengin’s goal] it was a wide free-kick, I headed the ball down, it was a very good goal. They gave us little space and put on a lot of pressure, it made it difficult for us.

“But we managed to play well and create the chances we needed and we equalised. They played at home and had the advantage of their supporters.

“They are a strong team. We were prepared for that and we were ready. In the end we got a point.”

Austria and Stoke City midfielder Marko Arnautovic was however not happy with the result as he felt his nation “dropped two points” last night.

“I am not satisfied. We deserved more. We played in one direction for 80 minutes. Sweden had no chances”, he said.

“We should have won the game. I am definitely not happy. This was still the first game, so I don't know if we have dropped two points.

“We have to go from game to game, but we must not play like tonight. This was not our usual level.”

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