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Swedish national team coach Tomasson under heavy fire after World Cup travesty

Tomasson answers questions during the press conference
Tomasson answers questions during the press conferenceSports Press Photo, SPP Sport Press Photo. / Alamy / Profimedia

Swedish national team coach Jon Dahl Tomasson is facing the wrath of supporters and the media after Sweden on Friday night lost 2-0 at home to Switzerland in a crucial qualifying match for the World Cup.

During the match, the former Danish national team striker made several tactical adjustments to help the home side regain control of the match. But it wasn't the right ones, according to Viaplay expert Bojan Djordjic.

Djordjic is especially critical of the fact that Tomasson still hadn't brought on Newcastle's Anthony Elanga with 20 minutes left of the game.

"Tomasson must do something now. It is a blatant reason for dismissal that Elanga is still out there warming up", said Djordjic.

Tomasson did respond as he brought on midfielders Anton Salétros and Daniel Svensson, as well as the defender Emil Holm, but it wasn't until the end that he made a forward-related substitution when Barcelona's Roony Bardghji was handed a chance to shine.

"It is not substitutions that will change the outcome of the match, and especially not when you need a result. Then it is better to bet and go for it, and then lose 2-0. Now you're still going to lose 2-0 and be a coward at the same time", said Djordjic. 

Jon Dahl Tomasson didn't think that he needed to risk more than he did. 

"We wanted fresh legs in different positions. But we wanted to wait for the last replacement if something were to happen. If you change too early, you can end up in a situation where you have to play with ten men", said Tomasson at the press conference after the game. 

The defeat means that Sweden is last in Group B with just a single point after three games. Switzerland leads the group with nine points, while Kosovo is second with four points, followed by Slovenia with two points.