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Men's Football Granqvist thankful for VAR

SWEDEN, who ended the hopes of the Netherlands and Italy on their way to qualifying for this World Cup, started with a win against the Republic of Korea in Nizhny Novgorod.

The only goal came from a penalty awarded by Salvadorian referee Joel Aguilar only after being persuaded by his video assistant referees to review substitute Kim Minwoo’s challenge on Viktor Claesson on a pitch-side screen. 

Over a minute had passed before the referee correctly pointed to the spot and captain Andreas Granqvist stepped up to side-foot home Sweden’s first World Cup finals goal in 12 years.

After the game, man of the match Granqvist said: “It takes a while with the VAR system but today obviously we are very pleased that we had it because the referee at first didn’t call the penalty.” 

On his match-winning spot-kick he added: “I was calm today, I waited for the goalie, I tried to score in the corner where he didn’t go.”

After a bright start from Korea, Sweden created a flurry of chances in the first half. Defender Kim Younggyon denied Sweden with two last-ditch tackles on Swedish captain Granqvist and then Marcus Berg.

The best chance of all fell in between to striker Berg, who forced Jo Hyeonwoo into making a fantastic point-blank save with his thigh in the 21st minute. 

The Korean keeper then parried away a close-range header from Ola Toivanen in the 56th minute from one of a succession of Sebastian Larsson set pieces.

Korea, playing in their ninth successive finals, failed to muster a shot on target and with Germany and Mexico still to face, they will have to improve considerably to reach the knockout stages of the tournament. 

Son Heung Min fashioned their only chance of the first half with a piercing run down the right but it took until the 91st minute for them to create a clear chance, when Hwang Hee Chan headed wide from Lee Jae Sung’s knock-back. 

Korean coach Shin Tae Young felt his team were inhibited by his opponent’s physicality. “I think our first half was quite good, they were a little bit worried about the height of the Swedish players, I think they became a little bit too subdued.” 

Swedish coach Janne Andersson felt the intervention of the VAR officials was unnecessary. “It wasn’t even needed — I think it was crystal clear. I’m very pleased we got the result in the end. I’m proud and pleased with the performance of the lads today.”

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