体坛英语新闻：Sweden "more confident" after loss to Germany, coach

YEKATERINBURG, Russia, June 26 (Xinhua) -- The last-gasp defeat to Germany has made Sweden stronger and more confident, Sweden coach Janne Andersson said at a pre-match press conference here on Tuesday.

Toni Kroos scored a winner in stoppage time to help the 10-man Germany rally past Sweden 2-1 in their second Group F match last Saturday to stay alive at the World Cup.

Germany and Sweden both have three points entering their final matches. Sweden will take on group leaders Mexico in a decisive game in Yekaterinburg and Germany meet South Korea on Wednesday.

The Sweden coach refused to consider the loss meaningless.

"We have a very good feeling in our squad, (because) we were able to play the reigning champions all the way, with the exception of the final 10 seconds, that was a match made us stronger, more confident," Andersson said.

"We are coming into tomorrow's game expecting that we can perform at our top level, that we have showed at several occasions, we have everything to win in the fixture coming up tomorrow," the Swede said.

"So from that perspective, mentally we are very very strong, and we believe in what we do," he added.

"As for the Mexican team, we see them as a very good football team, we have the greatest respect for them, they are a very skilled team, with several technically gifted players," Andersson said.

Mexico are leading Group F with six points after two games played. If Sweden managed to get on top of the central American team, and Germany defeated South Korea, the round of 16 berths would have to be decided by goal difference.