Elmander shines for Sweden

Feyenoord midfielder Johan Elmander got Sweden off to a tremendous start with two first half goals.

Swedish coach Lars Lagerback told Sportbladet: "Overall, I am relatively pleased.

"We didn't really play too well in the second half and let Qatar have too much of the ball."

Elmander was pleased with his contribution: "The first goal was down to good team work. It was a perfect pass from Ulander and all I had to do was tap it in.

"For my second I wanted to hit the ball on the ground because the pitch was bumpy."

The striker hopes his goals will be enough to include him in the coach's plans for Sweden's European Championship qualifier against Hungary in April.

"This was a really important match for me. I had to show Lagerback and Soderberg that I really want to be considered."

Malmo's Niklas Skoog notched Sweden's third from an Elmander pass and Lagerback also took the chance to blood youngster Alexander Farnerud of Landskrona Bois.