Midfielder Anders Svensson locked himself in his room after being axed from the starting team against England.
Many experts and pundits had expected the Southampton player to figure from the start - not least Svensson himself.
"I have never in my life in football been so disappointed, I was convinced I would play," the 25-year-old said.
Coaches Lars Lagerback and Tommy Soderberg opted for the battling qualities of Magnus Svensson over his namesake.
However, after 56 minutes Svensson was called from the sidelines, Magnus Svensson gave way and the change had an immediate impact.
Three minutes later Sweden equalised.
A poll by Swedish television (SVT) prior to the match showed that 93% thought that the starting line-up was disappointing, mainly because of Svensson's omission.
"After we got the line-up, I locked myself in my room, and didn't even open it when there were people at the door," Svensson told Swedish newspaper Expresson.
"
Svensson really delivers from the bench
"
Tommy Soderberg
His performance in the second half sent out a clear message to Lagerback and Soderberg ahead of Friday's match against Nigeria.
But Soderberg stood by his decision to start with Magnus Svensson.
"Paul Scholes has a very important role for England and that's why we wanted Magnus Svensson on the field," Soderberg explained.
"There is nobody who runs as much as Magnus, after all his nickname is 'Turbo'.
"But he got a knock, and then it was Anders Svensson's turn to play.
"He's good at those little through balls, has a good shot from distance and really delivers from the bench."
While Svensson was left angered by his exclusion, Andreas Jacobsson, Patrik Andersson's late replacement in the heart of Sweden's defence, was overjoyed by the opportunity to get a run-out at the World Cup.