Sweden overpowered Japan 2-1 on Friday to achieve the semi-final on the Women’s World Cup.
Amanda Ilestedt opened the scoring within the thirty second minute and a Filippa Angeldal penalty shortly after the restart put the Scandinavians answerable for the quarter-final conflict at Eden Park in Auckland.
And they rode their luck as Japan began to extend the strain.
Riko Ueki’s penalty within the 76th minute crashed off the underside of the bar and away to security however 11 minutes later Honaka Hayashi halved the deficit.
Despite 14 minutes of stoppage-time, Sweden held on for a victory which means a brand new title will adorn the trophy on 20 August.
Since its inception in 1991, the United States, Germany, Japan and Norway have gained the crown.
Sweden – the very best ranked staff left within the event – will tackle Spain on 15 August within the first semi-final.
The contestants within the second semi-final on 16 August can be selected Saturday when Australia tackle France in Brisbane and England play Colombia in Sydney.
Originally printed on RFI