No joy for Elmander as Sweden hold Portugal

Johan Elmander missed three good first-half chances in Sweden's 0-0 draw with Portugal in World Cup Group One qualifying yesterday.

The Bolton Wanderers striker went wide in the seventh minute after excellent work by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was captaining his country for the first time in the absence of Henrik Larsson.

Twenty minutes later Elmander fired a volley over the crossbar before he failed to hit the target with a header just before half-time.

The result gave second-placed Sweden five points from three games, one ahead of Portugal in third spot. Denmark lead the way on seven points.

The home side were disciplined and well organised, with Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo reduced to a peripheral figure especially in the first half.

The Manchester United player, booed by the crowd for most of the match, helped set up a scoring opportunity for Hugo Almeida in the 33rd minute but his effort was saved by keeper Andreas Isaksson.

The visitors raised their game after half-time and got better as the match wore on.

Joao Moutinho went narrowly wide in the 52nd minute before Raul Meireles forced a fine stop from Isaksson.

In the other Group One match, Hungary recorded a well deserved 2-0 victory over Albania thanks to two fine headed goals in the second half by Sandor Torghelle and Roland Juhasz.

Albania arrived in Budapest as the surprise group leaders with four points and almost took the lead in the 36th minute when Energie Cottbus midfielder Ervin Skela's well struck shot long range effort beat Marton Fulop but not the crossbar.

Hungary grabbed the advantage after 49th minutes when frontman Torghelle met Szabolcs Huszti's inch-perfect cross from the left to head home from six metres.

Sunderland goalkeeper Fulop had to pull out a couple of fine saves as Albania threw players forward but the game was sealed nine minutes from time when Anderlecht defender Juhasz nodded in a fine cross from substitute Akos Buzsaky.

The victory gave Hungary boss Erwin Koeman the bragging rights over Arie Haan in the clash of the Dutch coaches and his first competitive win as his side joined Albania on four points ahead of their trip to Malta this week.