Sweden v South Korea: Ekdal unflustered by media pressure

Ahead of their Group F opener against South Korea, Sweden will not be affected by any media pressure, according to Albin Ekdal.

Albin Ekdal believes Sweden will not be affected by the pressure of taking part in their first World Cup since 2006 ahead of their Group F clash with South Korea.

Sweden overcame Italy in a play-off to secure their place in Russia and get their campaign started in Nizhny Novgorod on Monday.

Ekdal is confident Janne Andersson's side - without the retired Zlatan Ibrahimovic - have the quality and experience to progress from a group that also includes Mexico and world champions Germany.

"There is more attention. There is a lot of advertising. More media focus," Ekdal told Swedish publication Expressen.

"Look at social media. I think it's horrendous. But I do not want to believe it affects us too much. I myself do not read too much.

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"It's the World Cup, it's supposed to be like this, it's great that we've got there. There are millions of Swedes who follow us. It's good, it helps the whole country to get involved."

South Korea come into the tournament on a dreadful run, having claimed just one victory from their previous six friendlies.

Tottenham winger Son Heung-min presents their biggest threat, although defender Jang Hyun-soo suggests South Korea's greatest danger could come from free-kicks and corners.

"I think set-pieces will be our strength," said Jang.

"We've really prepared a lot, and the players mostly talk about football and practice even in our free time.

"We're not trying new things but focusing on the plays that we've been preparing."