Sweden celebrating their win against Japan. Photo taken from Everton Women via Twitter.
Sweden held off a dramatic fightback from Japan to reach their fifth World Cup semi final in a dramatic encounter in Auckland. With Japan being the only former champions left in the tournament, there is now guaranteed to be a new name on the trophy next weekend.
Sweden dominated possession but it took until the 25th minute for Peter Gerhardsson’s side to have their first attempt on goal. Stina Blackstenius shrugged off Sakai Kumagai after being played in by Magdalena Eriksson, but Blackstenius sent her shot wide from close range.
A couple of minutes later, Japan had their best opening of the half as Risa Shimizu played a cross into the box. The ball went over the head of Hina Sugita but fell to tournament top scorer Hinata Miyazawa, but she was unable to get a shot on target.
The breakthrough came on 32 minutes. Kosovare Asllani’s free kick was punched away by Ayaka Yamashita, but the ball was not fully cleared and after a scramble in the area the ball fell to Amanda Ilestedt, with the centre back firing home from close range for her fourth goal of the tournament.
Asllani almost got a second three minutes before half time, but her outswinging shot was turned onto the post by the fingertips of Yamashita. Filipa Anghedahl also had an opportunity shortly before the break.
Sweden doubled their lead in the early minutes of the second half. Following a VAR check, they were awarded a penalty after a handball by Fuka Nagano. Anghedahl sent the resulting spot kick into the bottom corner.
It took 63 minutes for Japan to have a meaningful spell of possession, with Aoba Fujino registering their first shot on goal, but Fujino and Yui Hasegawa were unable to find the target.
Sweden responded to the Japanese pressure by making a double substitution, with Asllani and Fridolina Rolfo replaced by Madelen Janogy and Lina Hurtig.
Japan were given a golden chance to get themselves back into the game when Riko Ueki was brought down in the area by Janogy. Ueki took the penalty herself but hit the crossbar. There was a VAR review to determine if Zecira Musovic had come off her line, but there was no retake.
They thought they had gotten back into the game through Fujino’s free kick, but the ball hit both the crossbar and the post before bouncing right on the line. The goal did however come moments later when Sweden were unable to clear the ball and Honoka Hayashi fired home.
Japan made a change during added time as they pressed for an equaliser, with Hana Takahashi replaced by Maika Hamano. Sweden were forced to withstand waves of Japanese pressure as the crowd attempted to spur on the 2011 winners, but Sweden held on for the win.
🗣Jonna Andersson on going to console Maika Hamano after Japan's quarter-final loss to Sweden:
"I saw her sitting there. For me it was obvious that I wanted to go there to try and calm her down. I wanted to show her that I care, and it makes me sad that she is sad."
[via Amanda… pic.twitter.com/eGyrdJiaDe
— @Chelseawomen_ (@Chelseawomen_) August 11, 2023
Sweden will now return to Eden Park for Tuesday’s semi-final against Spain, who beat the Netherlands earlier in the day. The Swedes will be looking to reach only their second final, last reaching the tournament showpiece in 2003.
