Effiom Ntiero, Nigeria coach
This was a tough game. We knew the group was tough coming in.
Today's was a balanced game. Sweden played well, but we stuck
with them. They had a bigger reputation coming in to the game, but
my girls played their hearts out today and never gave in. I could
not be more proud. This is a great starting point, but now we want
to improve with each match. You have to get better all the time to
win a tournament like this and that is what we will try to do. I
had to make some changes to my team for various reasons and all of
the new players responded well to the challenge. We still have some
big names to play in the USA and North Korea, so we have to be
careful not to get ahead of ourselves.
Thomas Dennerby, Sweden coach
The result is not what we were hoping for. We had some very
good chances in the first half and we hit the bar twice. We
struggled late in the game and we were punished for not having
taken our early chances. This is what happens when you switch off
at crucial times in a game. Everyone in the group (B) has one point
so anything can happen now. The USA and North Korea will be very
tough games, but Swedish players always fight all the way to the
end. We have a good chance to beat both of the teams we will meet
next and that's exactly what we will focus on in the coming
days.
Stella Mbachu, Nigeria midfielder
This was a wonderful result for us. The Swedes came out to
beat us, but we never let them feel comfortable on the pitch. We
played well and the result is a fair one. We showed our class on
the field today and we hope to keep doing so.
Perpetua Nkwocha, Nigeria forward
This was always going to be a tough game for us. Very few
people gave us a chance, but we never gave up and scored late to
get level. This is the sign of a strong team with good psychology.
We will hopefully keep up this form and get even better
Cynthia Uwak, Nigeria forward
I can't explain how good it felt to score that goal late
and rescue a point for us. I play in Sweden so I know a lot of
those Swedish girls. I will be able to walk tall when I go back
there to play.
Victoria Svensson, Sweden striker
Of course it's disappointing to surrender a goal so late
in the game. It's not the kind of thing any team should do. We
were unlucky at times tonight, but now we have to get our heads
right and come out better in our next two games.
Hanna Ljungberg, Sweden striker
We have to accept this result and move on...that is
what we will do.
