Sweden extend their perfect start

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REYKJAVIK, Iceland -- Sweden were made to work hard by Iceland for a 2-1 victory that maintained their perfect start to Euro 2008 qualifying Group F on Wednesday.

A second-half goal by midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson proved decisive for the Swedes, who top the group with 12 points after four wins from four matches.

On a windy night in Reykjavik, Iceland struck first after six minutes when Arnar Vidarsson seized on a poor clearance by Kim Kallstrom and volleyed the ball past keeper Rami Shaaban.

Kallstrom redeemed himself two minutes later, the Olympique Lyon midfielder beating Arni Gautur Arason with a well-directed free kick.

Kallstrom then had another effort headed off the line by Hermann Hreidarsson as Sweden ended the first half strongly.

The winner came after 59 minutes when defender Erik Edman's cross was chested down by Marcus Allback inside the area and Wilhelmsson, playing in place of the injured Fredrik Ljungberg, made no mistake.

Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen almost levelled late on, smashing an 85th-minute free kick against the crossbar.

Northern Ireland continued their resurgence with a 1-0 victory over Latvia on Wednesday that raised their hopes of qualifying for the European Championship finals for the first time.

David Healy scored the winner after 35 minutes of the Group F encounter at Windsor Park, the Leeds United forward slipping the ball into the net past Latvia keeper Aleksandrs Kolinko after a pass by Keith Gillespie.

Victory puts Northern Ireland joint second in the group with Denmark on seven points, five behind runaway leaders Sweden.

Healy, who scored a hat-trick in his side's shock 3-2 win over Spain last month, had several other chances in the second half and had a goal ruled out for offside.

Latvia almost made them pay with 18 minutes remaining when sloppy defending from the home side allowed Girts Karlsons in but his shot was stopped by goalkeeper Maik Taylor.

The win follows a 0-0 draw against Denmark in Copenhagen at the weekend and last month's shock home win over fancied Spain.

Denmark captain Jon Dahl Tomasson scored twice to lead his team to a 4-0 rout of Liechtenstein on Wednesday.

The VfB Stuttgart striker scored from inside the penalty box with a spectacular overhead volley to the top corner in the 51st minute and again with a header in the 64th. He has now scored 43 times for Denmark.

Midfielder Daniel Jensen opened the scoring in the 29th minute when he drove the ball just inside the post after a low cross from striker Dennis Rommedahl.

Rommedahl rejoined the team after missing Denmark's disappointing goalless draw against Northern Ireland at home last Saturday through injury.

Michael Gravgaard also scored, heading the ball into the net from 10 meters in the 32nd minute after a cross from fellow defender Niclas Jensen.

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