Mjallby relishing Sweden's role as underdogs

Celtic's central defender looking forward to challenge of tournament's toughest group as he seeks recognition for defensive abilities

Johan Mjallby knows what it is like to beat England in a pressure situation because the strapping defender scored the winning goal for Sweden against Glenn Hoddle's national side in September 1998.

It was a pivotal qualifier for Euro 2000, played in Stockholm, and things seemed to be going the visitors' way when Alan Shearer scored after 72 seconds. But half an hour later Anders Andersson equalised, and two minutes after that Mjallby was heading home what would prove to be the winner. England's campaign was in serious trouble and it was only after a fraught play-off against Scotland that they prevailed.

"It was a special goal for me," said Mjallby as he was making his final preparations for the World Cup. "I grew up watching English football on TV. I had a friend who supported Manchester United and for some reason I started to support Wolves. We knew all about the English game and to score against them was a boyhood dream.

"Also I'd come to the national side relatively late, at 26, and to score in such an important game was important to consolidate my contribution."

Consolidate it did. Mjallby is now considered so integral to his country's chances that he was given a cortisone injection this week to help him overcome a serious shoulder injury sustained in a friendly against Paraguay a fortnight ago and aggravated during last weekend's warm-up against Japan. Even though Mjallby scored an own goal in that 1-1 draw, medical intervention was deemed appropriate to retain his services.

Back in 1998, shortly after the England match, he was similarly regarded by Celtic, whom he joined from AIK Stockholm for £1.5m, a fee that has proved to be a bargain. The man nicknamed Dolph – after Dolph Lungren, the Hollywood actor – quickly endeared himself with an uncompromising approach. Physically powerful, hard in the tackle and dangerous in the air he looked as though he would become a mainstay in the centre of defence. He was dubbed "Sweden's Vinnie Jones" but there was a difference. Mjallby could really play football.

But then came the ill-fated eight-month reign of John Barnes, a manager, said Mjallby, who had his players "running around like headless chickens". Left on the sidelines by Barnes, Mjallby thought his days in Glasgow were numbered until along came Martin O'Neill, a "splendid coach" under whom Mjallby has had a "fantastic" time.

Fantastic indeed. Last season's treble in O'Neill's first year was followed by the easy clinching of a follow-up title. Mjallby, now 31, has at last secured the role he thought would be denied him. His wife and children have happily settled in Scotland. And football's greatest occasion is about to start.

"I was a bit shell-shocked when I saw the draw," he said. "Argentina are one of the favourites, Nigeria maybe lack discipline, but they're full of skill and England have a lot of quality. But if that makes us underdogs, then fine. We like it that way, we play better."

The fact that England, Sweden's first opponents, are managed by a Swede, makes "no difference at all," Mjallby said. "Maybe it makes a difference to people in Sweden, but as players we do our job, it doesn't matter where he's from."

As for England's players, Mjallby and his team-mates, not least Arsenal's Freddie Ljungberg, Southampton's Anders Svensson and Aston Villa's Olof Mellberg, have seen plenty of them recently. "It's hard not to watch English football," he said. "They have quality, especially in Owen and Beckham, a strong defence with Rio and Sol."

That familiarity, combined with a playing style that has traditionally been similar to England's, should count in Sweden's favour. "Scandinavians play a bit in the British way and maybe we [Sweden] have coped well in the past because of it. [Sweden are unbeaten against England over nine games since 1968]. We play with discipline. We have not had flair players in the past but now there is Ljungberg, who likes to get into the penalty box more."

When asked who will be Sweden's main threat, it was no surprise that Mjallby nominated his Celtic team-mate, Henrik Larsson. "People complain that we play in a bad league but Celtic and Rangers are too good for the rest. And he's a cracking player."

What Mjallby strives for most of all is for people to acknowledge him as a decent player too. Asked about his hard man image – a world away from his thoughtful, relaxed off-field persona – he actually blushed. "I've got a temperament where I want to win," he said. "People talk about my disciplinary record, but I got only three yellow cards this year and one red. I want to show I'm a better player than people give me credit for."

A good game on Sunday and he is likely to be due some credit. "The best scenario would be to win the first game, a team who get no points in the first game has got it hard," he said.

England are all too aware how hard it can be after getting no points from Sweden.