Sweden joined Spain in the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup, after their victory against Japan (2-1) on Friday in Auckland, where their defense extinguished the best attack of the tournament so far. The Swedes, who scored through Amanda Ilestedt (32nd) and Filippa Angeldahl (51st from the penalty spot), reached the last four for the fifth time in nine appearances.
That’s the name of the game. @SvenskFotboll | #FIFAWWC
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 11, 2023
“It’s a great feeling to go to the semi-finals. Our performance was outstanding today,” said Ilestedt, named player of the match. The Japanese, who came back through Honoka Hayashi (87th), pushed in vain during ten minutes of added time to snatch extra time. Sweden has achieved the feat of having eliminated the last two world champion selections, the United States double defending champions in the round of 16 (0-0 after, 5-4 on pens), then Japan, crowned in 2011.
Japan stands tall
Goalkeeper Zecira Musovic’s teammates are banking on their defense to win their first star. Despite the elimination, Japan, which relies on a group among the youngest in the competition, have made an appointment with the future. “The players have grown during this World Cup. They have shown what they can do at world level,” said Japanese coach Futoshi Ikeda. “We lost but we have to analyze positively what the players did. I’m proud to have come this far”.
It is an opponent with a profile similar to the Japanese who awaits Sweden in the semi-finals next Tuesday in Auckland: Spain, full of talented players inclined to attack. La Roja beat the Netherlands after extra time (2-1 ap), earlier in the day. The Scandinavians tipped the game over two consecutive situations at a set piece.
Ilestedt still goalscorer
Following a free kick, Ilestedt opened the scoring by taking advantage of a mess in front of Ayaka Yamashita’s goal. The Arsenal defender scored her fourth goal of the competition, which put her on the heels of the tournament’s top scorer, Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa (5 goals). From the start of the second half, Fuka Nagano touched the ball with his hand, on a corner. Verdict: penalty, transformed by Angeldahl. Trailing 2-0, Japan went all out late in the game. Musovic was vigilant on the head of Ueki (90th + 1), on the main Japanese opportunity.