A Ciaran Clark own goal cancelled out Wes Hoolahan's stunning opener as the Republic of Ireland and Sweden played to a 1-1 draw.
Ireland had the first chance of the game in the 9th minute when Jeff Hendrick's shot was saved by Andreas Isaksson. Ireland had another chance in the 17th minute when captain John O'Shea missed a flick-on header by Clark from a Robbie Brady corner.
Brady had a chance to score in the 25th minute but his shot went over the bar. Ireland had the best chance of the half when Hendrick's curling shot hit the woodwork.
The Irish duo of Glen Whelan and Hoolahan dominated the midfield, which forced Zlatan Ibrahimovic to drop deep to collect balls. Sebastien Larsson was ineffective on the right wing due to losing right-back Mikael Lustig through injury.
Ireland started where they left off in the first half and in the first minute of the second half, Hendrick had a chance to score but his shot was again saved by Isaksson. They finally broke the deadlock in the 48th minute when Seamus Coleman delievered a cross in the box from the right which found Hoolahan, who hit a half-volley into the net.
Sweden's first real chance of the game came in the 59th minute of the game when Martin Olsson's low cross found Ibrahimovic, who dragged his shot wide. Ireland nearly conceded an own goal in the 69th minute when Clark's header was saved by Darren Randolph.
Sweden scored the equaliser in the 71st minute when Ibrahimovic's cross from the left was met by Clark, who's header could not be stopped by Randolph this time. Ireland immediately tried to respond and Hendrick was denied by Isaksson for the third time in the game in what proved to be the last real chance of the game.
Mogomotsi Phalatse
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