The second of the two 2023 Women’s World Cup quarter final games to be played on the 11th of August is between Japan W and Sweden W.
The match will be played at Eden Park and the Japanese are the only Asian team remaining in the competition, while the Swedes are one of five European nations to reach this stage of the competition.
Förberedelserna fortsätter 🇯🇵👀#SWE | #FIFWWC pic.twitter.com/FRETWvsNPJ— Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) August 9, 2023
Förberedelserna fortsätter 🇯🇵👀#SWE | #FIFWWC pic.twitter.com/FRETWvsNPJ
Japan W come into the game having beat Norway W 3-1 in the round of 16 at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Japan W took the lead courtesy of an own goal in the 13th minute but Norway W struck back just 5 minutes later to equalise.
With the score at 1-1 at half time, Japan W stated the second half strongly and took the lead in the 50th minute before securing their place in the quarter final with a third goal 9 minutes from time.
Japan W have a 100% record at the 2023 Women’s World Cup and have won all 4 of their fixtures.
They stared the group stage with a comfortable 5-0 win over Zambia W and followed that with a 2-0 victory over Costa Rica W.
The big game in the group was against Spain W and Japan W produced an excellent performance to win the match 4-0 and top the group.
Trends show Japan W are undefeated in 6 of their last 8 Women’s World Cup games.
Sweden W come into the match on the back of a penalty shootout victory over pre-tournament favourites, United States W.
The match ended 0-0 and there were no goals in extra time, meaning the match went to penalties.
Sweden W held their nerve as they converted 5 of their 7 penalties to book their place in the quarter final.
Including the penalty shootout win over United States W, Sweden W match Japan W in having a 100% record at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
They started the group stage with a 2-1 win over South Africa W and followed that with an excellent 5-0 victory over Italy W.
Sweden finished the group stage with a 2-0 win Argentina W to top the group.
Trends show Sweden W have won 7 of their 8 most recent games at the Women’s World Cup.
They reached the semi-final in 2019 and will be hoping to go one better this time.
Team news: Japan W have the tournament’s top scorer in their ranks and Hinata Miyazawa has 5 goals to her name.
Mina Tanaka is another key player and she has 2 goals and 3 assists.
Sweden W have been solid defensively, largely thanks to goalkeeper Zecira Mušović.
Defender Amanda Ilestedt has proved dangerous in the attacking third and has scored 3 goals in the tournament.
Japan W have looked good in this competition but come up against a tough Sweden W team.
The Swedes showed they can dig in and get a result in the game against the United States W and they could come out on top in this one, keeping a clean sheet in the process.