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Swede Elmander fails to impress national team coach
© Reuters 2002
STOCKHOLM, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Feyenoord striker Johan Elmander fears he failed to impress Sweden coach Tommy Soderberg in his team's 5-0 win against Roda.
The national team prospect was replaced after the first half. "I just wasn't good, I didn't get the ball and never got into the game," Elmander was quoted in the Swedish tabloid Alftonbladet on Monday.
Coach Soderberg was in the crowd to study Elmander and compatriot Fredrik Berglund, who sat on the Roda bench the entire game.
"Maybe it's better if we don't know when (the Swedish coaches) are watching," Berglund added.
The 20-year old Elmander is yet to play for the Swedish national team but has won 13 caps for the under-21 team. Soderberg is set to go watch Swedish internationals Marcus Allback, Erik Edman and Stefan Selakovic of Heerenveen play later this week.
Soderberg and assistant coach Lars Lagerback present the Swedish squad for the February 13 friendly against Greece on Tuesday.
Sweden is drawn in the so-called "group of death" with England, Nigeria and Argentina in the World Cup this summer.
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