Japan have hardly been examined on this Women’s World Cup and rolled with an ideal 4-0 document into the quarterfinals, the place a win over Sweden would present the Nadeshiko are very a lot a real contender.
But Friday’s opening day of the quarterfinals additionally offers Netherlands a possibility to take management of a wide-open World Cup. The Dutch have been runners-up to the United States 4 years in the past, and the Americans beat them within the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics.
With the U.S. already eradicated, Netherlands have a serious impediment out of its method. But first up comes a match towards Spain, which had by no means earlier than superior into the quarterfinals of the World Cup till this yr.
Sweden are rated third on the planet by FIFA and the highest-ranked workforce nonetheless within the World Cup. After three third-place finishes within the match, the Swedes are able to play in a championship recreation.
Sweden ended America’s run towards an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup title, has been to the semifinals three completely different occasions, together with in 2019, however haven’t made it to the ultimate since 2003. Sweden have been runners-up to Germany in its solely championship recreation.
The Swedes have been sparked by goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who was unflappable throughout Sweden’s 5-4 penalty shootout win over the Americans.
The one factor Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson has discovered about Japan is that they’re nothing like another workforce the Swedes have seen up to now on this match.
“None of the four opponents we’ve played so far are reminiscent of Japan,” Gerhardsson mentioned. “But when we’re looking at the matches played by Japan, we don’t think that there are any similarities between those countries and Sweden either.”
But Japan have breezed by means of the match and is an ideal 4-0 headed into this match towards Sweden at Eden Park, the place Japan can avenge its loss to the Swedes within the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics.
Hinata Miyazawa has scored fives occasions in 4 video games and leads the Golden Boot race headed into the match towards Sweden. The 23-year-old has already matched the workforce’s World Cup document set by Japanese legend Homare Sawa, who had 5 targets when Japan gained the occasion in 2011.
Japan have scored a team-record 14 targets whereas going 4-0 and conceded just one aim this match, in a 3-1 victory over Norway within the knockout stage.
“Since this team has been built, everything that we have done is now taking form and we’re able to see it on the field,” midfielder Fuka Nagano mentioned. “I think that is helping me and each player believe in themselves and I think that’s leading to us getting to where we are now.”
Japan have benefited from back-to-back video games in New Zealand. After beating Norway in Wellington, the Japanese have made the brief flight to Auckland. Sweden performed in Melbourne, have a further journey day and a brand new time zone to regulate to for the quarterfinals.
The recreation might be a defensive battle regardless of Japan’s scoring skills as a result of the groups have mixed for six clear sheets, and every has conceded just one aim apiece in 4 video games. But Sweden ranks seventh among the many eight quarterfinalists for common anticipated targets, and had simply three pictures on aim towards the United States.
Spain stands on Dutch’s method
Spain appeared to be among the many strongest groups within the competitors till a 4-0 blowout loss to Japan within the group finale. La Roja rebounded to remove Switzerland within the knockout spherical with 5-1 win.
The aim allowed was an personal aim, and the Spaniards made 5 lineup adjustments forward of the Switzerland match in a serious shakeup after the Japan loss. Now within the quarterfinals for the primary time, Spain’s match towards the Netherlands will probably be a real check of the place they stand among the many footballing elite.
Spain have scored 13 targets by means of 4 video games and have been offensively aggressive in each recreation, besides the loss to Japan.
Netherlands try to make the championship recreation for the second World Cup in a row. The Dutch didn’t qualify for the primary six editions of the World Cup however have been among the many finest since their 2015 debut. Netherlands made it to the knockout spherical that yr and misplaced to the United States within the remaining in 2019.
Dutch ahead Lineth Beerensteyn could not assist however have fun a bit when Sweden eradicated the reigning two-time champion United States. The two groups performed to a tense 1-1 draw within the group stage and Beerensteyn is completely happy to keep away from one other match towards the Americans.
“From the first moment I heard they were out I was just like ‘Yes! Bye!'” Bereensteyn mentioned. “From the start of the tournament they were already talking about the final. I was thinking, ‘You first have to show it on the pitch before you talk.'”
“I still have a lot of respect for them but now they’re out of the tournament,” she mentioned. “For me it’s a relief and for them it’s something they will have to take with them in the future.”
The match is a gathering of prolific scorers: Jill Roord has scored 4 targets up to now, one off the tempo behind behind tournament-leading Hinata Miyazawa of Japan. Aitana Bonmati has three targets up to now and has stepped in for Alexia Putellas, the two-time Ballon d’Or winner who has been restricted by damage.
Danielle van de Donk, the midfielder who tussled with American captain Lindsey Horan in group play, will miss the sport for the Netherlands as a result of she has two yellow playing cards within the match.
“I feel very stupid,” she mentioned. “You don’t want to be suspended for the next round and I now have to deal with that personally.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com
