Sweden is celebrating reaching the semi-finals. © APA/afp / MICHAEL BRADLEY

Last world champion with Japan out – Sweden in the World Cup semi-finals

With the Japanese, the last world champions are eliminated from the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. After more than 1 minutes of playing time, the score was 2:100 in the quarterfinals against strong Swedes.

August 11, 2023

From: dpa

The Japanese national team, which had been so convincing so far, was surprisingly eliminated in the quarter-finals of the World Cup. In the 1:2 (0:1) draw against Sweden on Friday, Honoka Hayashi's goal came too late (87th minute), after Riko Ueki had previously hit the crossbar with a penalty (76th). Amanda Ilestedt (32nd) and Filippa Angeldal (51st/penalty) scored for the overall better Swedes in front of 43 spectators in Auckland. In the semi-finals next Tuesday, coach Peter Gerhardsson's team will also face Spain in Auckland (217 a.m. CEST). With the Japanese team being eliminated, the last team that had been world champion at least once was eliminated.

From the start, the Swedes hardly gave the Japanese any room for their feared combinations. While the 2011 world champion had few offensive ideas, Sweden's attacks seemed more compelling. Stina Blackstenius missed the first good chance after a long ball, Ilestedt did better shortly before the break. After a free kick, the defender took the lead out of the crowd. Her fourth goal of the tournament was the first she scored with her foot. Kosovare Asllani missed making it 2-0 before the break, her shot hitting the inside post of the Japanese goal.

The Japanese women were heartbroken. © APA/afp / MICHAEL BRADLEY

Ayaka Yamashita parried another strong shot from Rytting Kaneryd, but the following corner resulted in a hand penalty for Sweden. Angeldal converted safely. On the other side, Ueki, who was fouled, missed a flattering penalty for Japan, which came back with might in the final phase. Kiko Seike curled a free kick onto the crossbar, seconds later substitute Haysashi reduced the score to 1:2. But the equalizer would no longer fall.

In the semi-finals, the Swedes will face Spain, who previously beat the Netherlands 2-1.