Sweden visited Germany in what was an important measure of value ahead of the World Cup.
A good team effort was only enough for 0-0 – with Sweden coming closest to winning.
Joanna Rating Canried, 26, burned a big post at the end.
Confederate captain Peter Gerhardsson made six changes to the starting eleven compared to last week’s match against China (which Sweden won 4-1). In a difficult qualifier against Germany, Kosovare-Aslani returned to the starting lineup after an injury, and Stena Lennartsson, on weekdays in Linköping, had to make his debut in the national team’s shirt.
Sweden had a good first half as they managed to pressure Germany into making several errors in their passing game. The closest the goal came to the top of the game was Stena Plakstenius who had the ball in the net – but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Another hit
In the second half, the pace was slower, and Philippa Angeldal, who had shone in the first half with her passes, was forced out after a knee blow.
Gerhardsson then made several substitutions and was one of the closest to giving Sweden the win. But Johanna Retting-Canried essentially missed an open goal when she hit the outside of the post.
But there were no goals and the match ended 0-0.
The final round of training matches awaits the second in April – when Denmark and Norway will meet. The World Cup begins in Australia and New Zealand on July 20. Sweden’s opening match against South Africa on 23 July.
