Swedes prepare tough debut for Trinidad

Sweden plan to ruin Trinidad & Tobago's World Cup debut today and give themselves a flying start ahead of seemingly tougher matches against Paraguay and England.

Swedish coach Lars Lagerback has drummed into his players that losing focus against the Group B outsiders could prove costly in the final analysis.

Defender Olof Mellberg believes the group will develop into a three-horse race, with Trinidad & Tobago the also-rans.

"It's wide open and we are determined to make it hard for England," said the centre-half.

"In South America, they will think Paraguay have a really good chance of going through and if you ask people in Sweden, they will back us."

Sweden won a tough group four years ago ahead of England, Argentina and Nigeria and hope to do it again.

They rattled in 30 goals in their 10 qualifying matches, their potent attack led by Henrik Larsson, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Freddie Ljungberg.

They will have to field an inexperienced goalkeeper after first choice Andreas Isaksson suffered concussion when he was felled by a shot during a training session on Wednesday. The choice is between John Alvbage and Rami Shaaban.

Trinidad & Tobago are the smallest country in the finals - the two-island country has a population of just 1.1 million.

Their hopes of upsetting Sweden were dealt a major blow yesterday when central defender Marvin Andrews was ruled out with a knee injury.

Andrews, a devout Christian who preaches at a church in Scotland, caused a stir last season when he turned to the power of prayer to heal a cruciate knee ligament injury sustained while playing for Glasgow Rangers.

The powerful defender confounded medical experts, who had recommended surgery, by returning to action in a matter of weeks.

"Marvin Andrews is injured and for sure he will not make it," said coach Leo Beenhakker.

Beenhakker believes his players already know the side that will line up against Sweden today in Dortmund.

"They know who will start, I don't have to tell them, and they are not stupid," Beenhakker said.

The Dutchman is upbeat about the task his eclectic team of journeymen face as group minnows and believes they could just cause an upset.

"I think a lot of people will be surprised at what we will be able to do," he said.

Trinidad (4-4-2): 1-Hislop; 6-Lawrence, 12-Samuel, 3-John, 8-Gray; 7-Birchall, 9-Whitley, 11-Edwards, 15-Jones; 14-John, 19-Yorke.

Sweden (4-4-2): 12-Alvbage; 3-Mellberg, 4-Lucic, 5-Edman, 14-Stenman; 6-Linderoth, 9-Ljungberg, 21-Wilhelmsson, 19-Andersson; 10-Ibrahimovic, 11-Larsson.

Referee: Shamsul Maidin (Singapore).