AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) — Amanda Ilestedt and Filippa Angeldal scored in every half as Sweden edged Japan 2-1 to advance to FIFA Women’s World Cup semifinals right here on Friday.
The elimination of the 2011 World Cup champions implies that all earlier title winners have been out of the match and there may be sure to be a brand new title on the trophy this yr.
Sweden had a complete management of the primary half with 54 % of ball possession and eight purpose makes an attempt, whereas the Japanese aspect, who had the match’s greatest 14-goal scoring tally, did not document a single shot.
The Northern European group tore aside Japan’s defence via set piece within the thirty first minute, when Ilestedt slotted residence from shut vary, after a lofted cross precipitated a string of deflections within the penalty space.
The heart again now has 4 targets and is in a shot of profitable the Golden Boot of the match, with just one purpose behind Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa.
In the forty second minute, Swedish captain Kosovare Asllani was near doubling the lead, however her highly effective volley shot on the sting of the field was tipped onto the publish by Japanese goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.
Just six minutes into the second half, one other Sweden set piece led to a penalty transformed by Angeldal following Nagano Fuka’s handball foul within the field.
Trailing 2-0 behind, Japan then equipped on attacking and had been dominant within the ultimate interval of the match. In the 76th minute, substitute Riko Ueki received a penalty for the Nadeshiko, however she slotted the ball extensive off the crossbar.
Japan’s relentless efforts lastly paid off within the 87th minute as Honoka Hayashi minimize into the penalty space to attain her first worldwide purpose, simply seconds after Aoba Fujino’s free kick rattled the woodwork. However, it was too late for Japan to search out the equalizer.
Sweden is ready to play in opposition to Spain within the semi-final subsequent Tuesday.