Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Breaking: Sweden Stun Japan To Reach The Women’s World Cup Semi-Finals

POSTED ON August 11, 2023 •   Football      BY Lawrence Omoge
On Friday at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Sweden stunned Japan 2-1 to advance to the semifinals of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. Amanda Ilestedt scored for Sweden in the 32nd minute to put her team ahead. Just after the half, Filippa Angeldal scored again, this time from the penalty spot. Japan fought back, however despite Riko Ueki's penalty miss in the 76th minute and Honoka Hayashi's goal 11 minutes later, Japan was ultimately unsuccessful in mounting a comeback.

Sweden Strike Early and often

Sweden showed no signs of intimidation as they took control of the game from the start. They pressed high and disrupted Japan’s passing game, creating several chances in the opening minutes. Till the 30th minute, Sweden in a surprising turn of event dominated the match with a ball possession of 61% to 39%. At the 32nd minute, Sweden broke the deadlock after reacting first to a loose ball and putting it away with the right foot. Japan kept on the fight to equalize until the end of the first half.

Japan Fight Back but Fall Short

Sweden managed to be awarded a penalty at the 51st minute, after Mina Tanaka from Japan intercepts a cross aimed towards the box. The VAR confirmed that there was a foul. Swedish Filippa Angeldal puts the ball away from the penalty spot with the right foot, sending Japanese goalkeeper, Ayaka Yamashita the wrong side. Japan got lucky with a penalty at the 74th minute after Madelen Janogy from Sweden trips Japanese Riko Ueki. However, Riko wasted the opportunity to equalize as she hits the crossbar after taking the penalty shot. Luck shines on Japan again at the 87th minute, as Honda Hayashi scores from an easy position. However, Honoka Hayashi's goal was not enough to mount a comeback. Sweden held on to secure their place in the semifinals. [caption id="attachment_7791" align="aligncenter" width="370"]Japan's exit must have been challenging. Japan's exit must have been challenging. | Credit: Olympics.com[/caption]

Sweden's Journey

Sweden has reached the semifinals of the FIFA Women's World Cup for the fifth time, making them one of the most consistent teams in the tournament. After taking home the title at the first-ever European Championships in 1984, the country has since placed second at the World Cup in 2003, the Olympics in 2016, and the World Cup again in 2020. With talented players like Hedvig Lindahl and Nilla Fischer, Sweden has been doing well in the competition. They also have a prolific scorer in Amanda Ilestedt, who has four goals from set-pieces and is tied with Australia’s Sam Kerr for the adidas Golden Boot award. [caption id="attachment_7794" align="aligncenter" width="289"]Sweden defender Amanda Ilestedt scores her FOURTH goal of the tournament for the lead against Japan. Sweden defender Amanda Ilestedt scores her FOURTH goal of the tournament for the lead against Japan. | Credit: Getty Images[/caption] In the group stage, Sweden won all three of their matches, scoring eight goals and conceding only one. In the round of 16, Sweden faced the defending champions USA in a thrilling encounter. The match ended 0-0 after 120 minutes of intense action, and Sweden prevailed 5-4 on penalties, Sweden has shown great teamwork, resilience, and determination throughout the tournament, and they will be a tough opponent for any team. They have also attracted many fans with their attractive and attacking style of play.

Japan's Performance

The Japanese team had been one of the tournament's best, eliminating their opponents. Before this, they had won every game by at least two goals, for a total of 14 victories by at least three goals. The team captained by Futoshi Ikeda plays with enthusiasm and guile, and they are tactically flexible and technically proficient across the board. They advanced past the Round of 16, beating Norway in the process, but their run ended in the semi-finals against Sweden. [caption id="attachment_7790" align="aligncenter" width="586"]Japan bow to their fans after their World Cup exit Japan bow to their fans after their FIFA World Cup exit. | Credit: B/R Football. | Source: Twitter[/caption]

The Semifinals

With their victory over Japan, Sweden advances to play Spain in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 semifinals. In the other semi-final, Brazil will play the Netherlands. At the same venue, Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, the semifinals will take place on August 15, 2023. With only four teams remaining and two spots in the final game at stake, the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 is reaching its peak. Who will break new ground and win the prized trophy?
READ ALSO
Chelsea Advances to Last 16 of Club World Cup with 3-0 Win Over Esperance
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 25, 2025 0

Liam Delap netted his first goal for Chelsea during a 3-0 victory over Tunisian champions Esperance...

READ ALSO
Osimhen Willing to Join Manchester United for Under £200,000 a Week
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

Victor Osimhen is reportedly willing to accept a weekly wage of just under £200,000 at Manches...

READ ALSO
Mertens Announces Retirement from Football, Cites Age and Fatigue
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

Belgian football star Dries Mertens has officially announced his retirement from professional footba...

READ ALSO
Kylian Mbappé to rejoin Team after Food Poison Treatment
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 20, 2025 0

France and Real Madrid of Spain forward, Kylian Mbappe, has been discharged from hospital after bein...

READ ALSO
Atlético de Madrid Secures First Win in FIFA Club World Cup with 3-1 Victory
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 20, 2025 0

Spanish football giant, Atlético de Madrid, has secured their first three points of the Feder...

READ ALSO
Messi Scores 50th Goal for Inter Miami in Historic Club World Cup Victory
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 20, 2025 0

Argentine forward, Lionel Messi, scored his 50th goal for the United State football club, Inter Miam...

READ ALSO
Finidi George Leads Rivers United into 2025/26 Season Training Camp
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

Rivers United's coach, Finidi George, has motivated his players as the Port Harcourt-based team kick...

READ ALSO
Moses Simon Completes Move to Paris FC for €7 Million
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

As reported by French news source Foot Mercato, Paris FC, a newly-promoted team in French Ligue 1, h...

OUR CHANNELS:

Kebbi Vows to Tackle Informants Aiding Bandits
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 27, 2025 0

KEBBI, Nigeria - Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, has pledged to take action against informant...


PDP seeks Tinubu’s intervention in Osun Crisis
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 27, 2025 0

The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has urged President Bola Tinubu to step in re...


24 Lawmakers Leave PDP for APC Amid Unresolved Internal Conflicts
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 27, 2025 0

AKWA IBOM, Nigeria - Twenty-four out of the 26 members of the House of Assembly in Akwa Ibom State h...


Nigeria's 2024 Budget Capital Extension Draws Criticism from Economists
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 27, 2025 0

The Senate and House of Representatives have once again prolonged the implementation of the capital...


Chelsea Advances to Last 16 of Club World Cup with 3-0 Win Over Esperance
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 27, 2025 0

Liam Delap netted his first goal for Chelsea during a 3-0 victory over Tunisian champions Esperance...


IPOB Rejects Tinubu's Cattle Ranch Proposal as a Disguise for Land Grabbing
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 27, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has expressed its disapproval of President B...


Police Unveils New Strategies to Combat Gunmen and Restore Public Confidence
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 26, 2025 0

ANAMBRA, Nigeria - In its continued efforts to boost security and regain public trust, the Anambra S...


Nigeria's Gemstone Potential: A Deep Dive into 10 Rare Minerals and Their Regions of Origin
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 27, 2025 0

Nigeria is making waves with a revolutionary $400 million Foreign Direct Investment dedicated to cre...


IPMAN Links Rising Petrol Prices to Crude Oil Costs and Market Dynamics
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 27, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Public Relations Officer of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Associati...


EFCC Charges Businessman, Company with $75,000 Fraud
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 27, 2025 0

A businessman, Peter Otomewu, along with his company, Pebeto Enerji Limited, was brought before the...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu