AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Japan has hardly been examined on this Women’s World Cup and rolled with an ideal 4-0 file 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 provides Netherlands a chance 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 has a significant impediment out of its means. But first up comes a match in opposition to Spain, which had by no means earlier than superior into the quarterfinals of the World Cup till this 12 months.
A have a look at Friday’s video games:
JAPAN-SWEDEN
Sweden is rated third on the earth by FIFA and the highest-ranked group nonetheless within the World Cup. After three third-place finishes within the event, 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 has not made it to the ultimate since 2003. Sweden was runner-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 found out about Japan is that they’re nothing like another group the Swedes have seen up to now on this event.
“None of the four opponents we’ve played so far are reminiscent of Japan,” Gerhardsson stated. “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 has breezed by means of the event and is an ideal 4-0 headed into this match in opposition to 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 in opposition to Sweden. The 23-year-old has already matched the group’s World Cup file set by Japanese legend Homare Sawa, who had 5 targets when Japan gained the occasion in 2011.
Japan has scored a team-record 14 targets whereas going 4-0 and conceded just one objective this event, 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 stated. “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 has benefited from back-to-back video games in New Zealand. After beating Norway in Wellington, the Japanese have made the quick flight to Auckland. Sweden performed in Melbourne, has an extra journey day and a brand new time zone to regulate to for the quarterfinals.
The recreation could possibly be a defensive battle regardless of Japan’s scoring talents as a result of the groups have mixed for six clear sheets, and every has conceded just one objective apiece in 4 video games. But Sweden ranks seventh among the many eight quarterfinalists for common anticipated targets, and had simply three pictures on objective in opposition to the United States.
SPAIN-NETHERLANDS
Spain gave the impression 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 objective allowed was an personal objective, and the Spaniards made 5 lineup modifications forward of the Switzerland match in a significant shakeup after the Japan loss. Now within the quarterfinals for the primary time, Spain’s match in opposition to the Netherlands might be a real check of the place it stands among the many soccer elite.
Spain has scored 13 targets by means of 4 video games and has been offensively aggressive in each recreation, besides the loss to Japan.
Netherlands is attempting to make the championship recreation for the second World Cup in a row. The Dutch did not 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 12 months and misplaced to the United States within the last in 2019.
Dutch ahead Lineth Beerensteyn couldn’t 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 in opposition to the Americans.
“From the first moment I heard they were out I was just like ‘Yes! Bye!’” Bereensteyn stated. “From the beginning of the event they have been already speaking concerning the last. I used to be considering, ‘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 stated. “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 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 harm.
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 event.
“I feel very stupid,” she stated. “You don’t want to be suspended for the next round and I now have to deal with that personally.”
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