- Japan and Sweden have both impressed in the Women's World Cup
- The Japanese boast several big wins already
- United States fell victim to the Swedes in the last 16
Based on form over the last three weeks, there is a strong chance that the eventual 2023 Women's World Cup winner will be whoever wins this quarter-final between Japan and Sweden.
No other teams have impressed as much as these two giants, who were perhaps not given the credit they deserved in the build-up when most of the attention was on the likes of the United States, England, Germany and France instead.
Japan were the only side in the entire tournament to put together three convincing performances in the group stage, finishing off with a 4-0 rout of a strong Spain side and then comfortably seeing off Norway in the first knockout round.
Sweden started slightly slower but found their feet to also take maximum group stage points and claimed the biggest scalp of all when they knocked out the United States in the last 16. The goalkeeping heroics of Zecira Musovic played a big part, but it was a team effort.
Japan were world champions in 2011 and made the final four years later, but their 2019 campaign was disappointing. Sweden often do well on the international stage but their only World Cup final appearance was back in 2003 when they lost to Germany. They were, however, third in 2019.
Country/region | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | BBC One, BBC iPlayer |
United States | FOX, Peacock Premium, fubo, Telemundo, Universo |
Canada | TSN1, TSN4, TSN+ |
Australia | Optus Sport |
Ireland | RTE2, RTE Player |
Middle east/north Africa | beIN SPORTS |
There have been 15 past meetings between these two countries, with Sweden holding the edge thanks to seven wins. Japan have won five times, while three have been draws.
Round | Japan | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
Group stage matchday 1 | Zambia 0-5 Japan | Sweden 2-1 South Africa |
Group stage matchday 2 | Japan 2-0 Costa Rica | Sweden 5-0 Italy |
Group stage matchday 3 | Japan 4-0 Spain | Argentina 0-2 Sweden |
Last 16 | Japan 3-1 Norway | Sweden (p) 0-0 United States |
There are no injuries in the Japan squad, but that doesn't mean Futoshi Ikeda's lineup is easily predicted. An impressive level of depth has allowed plenty of rotation in-tournament already, with the likes of Riko Ueki, Jun Endo and Golden Boot leader Hinata Miyazawa swapped around so far.
Sweden also have no injury concerns. Peter Gerhardsson has used a much more settled starting XI, although took the opportunity to rest players in the dead rubber group game against Argentina.
The big question here is whether he keeps the same lineup again, bearing in mind Sweden played their last 16 game, all 120 lung-bustnig minutes against the United States, more recently than Japan.
Either of these teams would be a worthy winner of, not just this quarter-final tie, but the World Cup as a whole, such is the quality on offer in both squads.
It is likely to be incredibly close and could go the distance again for Sweden, at which point it will come down to who can most hold their nerve under pressure.
Girls On The Ball are joined by England legend Fara Williams as she runs through an all-time Lionesses XI of her former international teammates!
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