August 11 – Sweden’s 2-1 elimination of former champions Japan in the last eight ensures the Women’s World Cup will have a new name on the trophy come July 20.
The select quartet of Japan, the United States, Norway and Germany have enjoyed a stranglehold on the biggest trophy in the game, sharing all of the eight previous titles between them, but that is about to change in Australia and New Zealand after the Asian side and last of the former champions in the competition departed. They underwhelmed against Sweden, who will play Spain for a place in the final.
In a dramatic second half, Japan rallied late to almost claw their way back into the game, a testimony to their never-say-die attitude.
Aoba Fujino smacked a free kick against the woodwork after Riko Ueki had rattled the bar from the penalty spot in the 76th minute and their attacking endeavours were rewarded with a late strike by Honoka Hayashi, but they could not find an equaliser in ten minutes of injury time.
Ultimately, the Japanese had woken up too late. They had dazzled in their first four games, including a 4-0 win against Spain, but fell short in uncharacteristic fashion, often frustrated by the solid Swedish defence.
The Swedish dominated large chunks of the match. Their 32nd-minute opening goal had an element of slapstick with the ball pinballing around in the Japanese box before Amanda Ilestedt stabbed it into the back of the net. Japanese goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita punched the ball away before Blackstenius pinged it back in and Eriksson had three stabs at the ball before it came to Ilestedt’s feet. It was Ilestedt’s fourth goal of the tournament, just one goal behind Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa in the Golden Boot race.
It was a statement from the Scandinavians following their win against the United States. The Japanese were in a spot they had not yet been in this tournament – trailing and for much of the first half they seemed spooked, overwhelmed by the swagger and gusto of Sweden.
It was Sweden’s best half of the tournament yet and Kosovare Asllani riffled off a shot that Yamashita saved before it rebounded off the post.
Sweden survived Japan’s late waves of attacks and will be confident of reaching the World Cup for the second time in their history after losing to Germany to a golden goal in 2003 in the United States, the last occasion in which the final was disputed without former champions.
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