Larsson to miss World Cup qualifier

AFP - 7 October 2008 20:40

Swedish forward Henrik Larsson, seen here in June 2008, has strained his right thigh muscle and will miss Saturday´s World Cup qualifier against Portugal in Stockholm, the Swedish Football Association said Tuesday.

STOCKHOLM (AFP) - Sweden captain Henrik Larsson has strained his right thigh muscle and will miss Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Portugal in Stockholm, the Swedish Football Association said Tuesday.

"It often takes a few weeks for such injuries to heal, so I don't think even a miracle could save Saturday's game" for Larsson, national team doctor Anders Valentin said in a statement.

Coach Lars Lagerbaeck said he was disappointed that Larsson would not be able to play.

"(Larsson) is an important player on and off the field, a leader, and we don't really have any other forward that has the same capabilities he has," he said in the statement.