In the fourth minute the 34-year-old shot-stopper unncessarily rushed off his line, bringing down Djurgardens striker Johan Oremo inside the box to concede an early penalty.

Covic, who was part of Guus Hiddink's 23-man Socceroos squad in Germany four years ago and is hoping to be included in Pim Verbeek's party for South Africa, was lucky to escape sanction.

From the subsequent spotkick taken by Oremo, the ex-Newcastle Jets keeper guessed the right direction but was beaten by a well-taken strike.

Despite the early setback, Elfsborg responded with big frontman Denni Avdic grabbing two first-half goals to put the hosts in the lead at the break.

There was a scare for Elfsborg when DIF midfielder Prince Ekong Ikpe's wicked long-range effort had Covic scrambling, only for the post to deny the Nigerian.

But ten minutes into the second-half, Elfsborg's Martin Ericsson showed great poise in front of goal to make it 3-1 and round out the scoring.

The win is Elfsborg's second of the new Allsvenskan season, moving them to seventh after six matches.

In Denmark's Superliga, young Australian striker Brent McGrath was a 46th minute substitute for Brondby who lost 1-0 at home to FC Nordsjaelland.

Brondby, trailing at the break, were jeered off by the home fans at half-time but failed to ignite in the second stanza with McGrath not having any clear-cut chances.