Sweden will face Spain within the Girls’s World Cup semi-finals after combating off a persistent Japan aspect 2-1.
Amanda Ilestedt scored the opener within the thirty first minute, the ball falling kindly to her toes within the midst of a goal-mouth scramble, and she or he fired in from shut vary.
Japan seemed as if they may have steadied the ship however Fuka Nagano grazed the ball along with her arm contained in the field 4 minutes into the second half, and Filippa Angeldahl transformed from the penalty spot.
Two objectives up and cruising, Peter Gerhardsson’s crew seemed in management, however one final burst from their opponents led to a nervy last quarter-hour.
Riko Ueki kicked issues off by carving out a lifeline for her crew by happening below strain within the space. However the Tokyo Verdy Beleza striker’s shot rattled the bar.
Honoka Hayashi arrange a grandstand end by sweeping residence within the 87th minute, however it was all a bit of too late.
How Sweden beat Japan
The Blagult began quick and furiously, making Japan, who had been beforehand praised for his or her adept tactical approaches, look shaky.
But, in that adjustment interval, Peter Gerhardsson’s crew did little to capitalise on Japan’s rocky backline.
Kosovare Asllani received a couple of free-kicks, and Fridolina Rolfo seemed full of life, however Stina Blackstenius was cleverly marshalled and infrequently discovered the ball at her toes.
Futoshi Ikeda’s sport plan was clear: let Sweden use their zest and power on the ball after which counter once they confirmed indicators of fatigue.
But the sport didn’t unravel that approach. The Japanese, who had shocked everybody this match, had been lastly getting a style of their very own medication.
All of it kicked off within the twenty fifth minute when Blackstenius bought the higher of Saki Kumagai, however the Arsenal striker volleyed vast.
Japan responded instantly with a fiery probability of their very own. Risa Shimizu burst down the left flank and delivered a teasing cross. Hinata Miyazawa, the goal, floated into the again publish however could not flip the ball to a team-mate.
She could be punished for her lack of scientific ending as Sweden took the lead moments later and compelled Japan to go behind for the primary time this summer time.
A cross into the field induced defensive chaos for the Japanese defence. Eriksson pinged the ball again into the fray, and her centre-back-in-crime Ilestedt fired in from shut vary.
It might have been two simply earlier than the half ended as goalkeeper Yoshimi Yamashita tipped Asllani’s shot onto the publish.
One thing wanted to offer on the opposite aspect of half-time. Sadly, it could not be within the Nadeshiko’s favour.
Simply 4 minutes into the second half, Nagano grazed the ball along with her arm within the field, and after a fast verify with the monitor, the referee pointed to the spot.
Angeldahl stepped up and comfortably slotted the ball previous the goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
The Swedes had been breezing via to the semi-finals, that they had not conceded in over seven hours, and it barely appeared as in the event that they’d performed 120 minutes of their earlier outing towards the USA.
Japan’s Risa Shimizu fights off Sweden’s Stina Blackstenius for a shot at purpose
However this can be a World Cup of many twists and turns, and the sport was an ideal microcosm.
Simply because it appeared Japan had been down and out, the guests rediscovered their combating spirit and ran with it.
Zecira Musovic was referred to as into motion for the primary time when Aoba Fujino’s cross induced her to scurry throughout the purpose and divert the ball from hazard.
There could be an much more monumental process forward of Chelsea’s ‘keeper when Ueki went down below strain within the field.
She stepped as much as take the ensuing penalty, however her shot rattled the ball, and Sweden smuggled the ball into the gang.
Ueki’s blushes would quickly be saved when Hayashi pounced on a free ball within the Swedish field to grab a purpose again, however Japan left themselves with an excessive amount of to do.
Now Spain, who might need feared a repeat match-up with the crew who put 4 previous them within the group levels, should put together for a special sort of beast altogether.
What’s next?
Sweden will play Spain within the semi-finals of the Girls’s World Cup. The match might be performed on Tuesday August 15 at 9am.
What is the schedule?
The spherical of 16 concluded on Tuesday forward of the quarter-finals, which might be held in Wellington, Auckland, Brisbane and Sydney, between August 11 and 12.
The primary semi-final will then be performed on August 15 in Auckland, with the opposite semi-final happening on August 16 on the Accor Stadium in Sydney, which can then host the ultimate on August 20.
A 3rd-place play-off might be performed the day earlier than the ultimate on August 19 in Brisbane.