Sweden edge Japan to book semifinal berth

The Swedes were trying to use their superior height to their advantage with their trademark set-pieces.

The Scandinavians were having the lions' share of possession, whilst Japan were content to lie deep and break on the counter-attack wherever possible.

The Swedes were playing their usual physical game and trying to intimidate their shorter opponents but Japan were up to the task.00The Europeans should have taken the lead with 25 minutes gone. Stina Blackstenius got the better of Saki Kumagai after a lovely ball from Nathalie Bjorn, but she somehow missed the target completely.

Soon after, Japan responded. Hinata Miyazawa made a fantastic switch of play to find Risa Shimizu completely open on the right-hand side before doing well to evade the Sweden defenders before getting the ball over the top and just over the head of Hine Sugita at the far post, who would have scored.

Sweden took the lead in typical fashion. From a set-piece, they were are keep the ball alive again and again and it ended up at the feet of Amanda Ilestedt who smashed it home.

Kosavore Aslani then had a good attempt to double the lead but Japan goalkeeper Ayakaki Yamashita stretched to parry it off the post and out.

The Swedes doubled their lead five minutes aafter half-time when Fuka Nagano handballed in the area with Angeldahl making no mistake from the spot.

Japan almost pulled a goal back in the 65th minute. Good ball from Jun Endo that finds Aoba Fujino, who hit it into the ground before it looped over just above the bar and bounced off the roof of the net.

The Asians won a penalty in the 74th minute when Ueki went down, and the referee pointed to the spot. Ueki stepped up but hit the bar.

The Samurais would pull a goal back but by then it would be a little too late. Outside the box, Eriksson made a shove which was a clear foul. Hayashi took it, and it hits the crossbar. Play continued and the ball ended up at the feet of Hayashi who hammered it home.