STOCKHOLM, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Johan Elmander missed three goodfirst-half chances in Sweden's 0-0 draw with Portugal in Group 1 of the European World Cup qualifiers on Saturday.

    The Bolton Wanderers striker went wide in the seventh minute after excellent work by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was captaining his country for the first time in the absence of Henrik Larsson.

    Twenty minutes later, Elmander fired a volley over the crossbar before he failed to hit the target with a header just before halftime.

    The result gave second-placed Sweden five points from three games, one ahead of Portugal in third spot. Denmark lead the way on seven points.

    The home side was disciplined and well organised, with Portugalwinger Cristiano Ronaldo reduced to a peripheral figure especiallyin the first half.

    The Manchester United player, booed by the crowd for most of the match, helped set up a scoring opportunity for Hugo Almeida inthe 33rd minute but his effort was saved by keeper Andreas Isaksson.

    The visitors raised their game after halftime and got better asthe match wore on. Joao Moutinho went narrowly wide in the 52nd minute before Raul Meireles forced a fine stop from Isaksson.