Herzogenaurach, June 9:

Argentina’s players admitted on Thursday they were trying to soak up the pressure ahead of their tough opening World Cup match against the Ivory Coast.

Despite claims that the Ivory Coast is potentially the weakest in Group C, Javier Mascherano insisted the team had huge respect for their opponents. Mascherano player predicted a “tough struggle” for control of the midield.

Argentina let the media see the tail end of a particularly committed training session for the first time since the sqaud set up its training base at the Adidas headqaurters in the southern town of Herzogenaurach.

“We’re really motivated and looking forward to the first match. We’re stifling the anxiety with a great group,” said Roma defender Leandro Cufre. “We are figuring out what the team will look like, we all have high hopes and want to be prepared for the first game.”

Coach Jose Pekerman has given little hint of his tactics and there were signs from the training session that some slots in the team were still open.

Sweden v T&T Dortmund: On paper, Trinidad and Tobago look like an easy opponent for Sweden in their World Cup Group B opener on Saturday. Sweden coach Lars Lagerback is cautious but optimistic.

“I think Trinidad & Tobago is a tricky team because they have some qualities,” Lagerback said. “We have to be focused, but if we are I’m convinced that we’ll beat them. They’re the underdogs.”

Trinidad midfielder Aurtis Whitley doesn’t mind being underdogs. “We don’t get tired of it,” he said. “Everybody has their own opinion. But I know there will be upsets in this World Cup.” Asked if Trinidad would provide them, Whitley said, “We don’t know for sure but if everyone plays good, you don’t know what’s possible.”

Sweden’s hopes took a blow when goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson was ruled out on Thursday due to mild concussion. Isaksson was hit in the face by midfielder Kim Kallstrom’s hard shot during a workout the day before.

“He was hit by a very hard shot and his head also hit the ground afterwards,” Sweden team doctor Anders Valentin said. “He was never unconscious, but he was quite confused and disoriented. It will take a few days to get him back.”

Trinidad and Tobago suffered its own injury hit when defender Marvin Andrews twisted his injured left knee in practice on Thursday. An MRI revealed a severe sprain, and manager Bruce Aanensen doubted he would start on Saturday.

Sweden has more players on its current squad from the 2002 World Cup than any other team in Germany. In 2002, in it’s 10th World Cup, Sweden won the “Group of Death” ahead of England, and eliminated Argentina and Nigeria.

Sweden’s experience will be a big advantage against Trinidad and Tobago, making its first World Cup start. “We know it’s a very important game for us,” said striker Henrik Larsson. “It’s the first game of the tournament so we know we need to get a good result.”

Now he’s one of the “Big Three” along with Fredrik Ljungberg and Juventus’ Ibrahimovic. The trio scored 20 of the team’s 30 goals in the qualifying rounds.