Japan tries to stake its claim as favourite at Women’s World Cup when quarterfinals begin
Japan has hardly been tested in this Women’s World Cup and rolled with a perfect 4-0 record into the quarterfinals, where a win over Sweden would show the Nadeshiko are very much a true contender.
But Friday’s opening day of the quarterfinals also gives Netherlands an opportunity to take control of a wide-open World Cup. The Dutch were runners-up to the United States four years ago, and the Americans beat them in the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics.
With the US already eliminated, Netherlands has a major obstacle out of its way. But first up comes a match against Spain, which had never before advanced into the quarterfinals of the World Cup until this year.
A look at Friday’s games:
JAPAN-SWEDEN
Sweden is rated third in the world by FIFA and the highest-ranked team still in the World Cup. After three third-place finishes in the tournament, the Swedes are ready to play in a championship game.
Sweden ended America’s run toward an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup title, has been to the semifinals three different times, including in 2019, but has not made it to the final since 2003. Sweden was runner-up to Germany in its only championship game.
The Swedes were sparked by goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who was unflappable during Sweden’s 5-4 penalty shootout win over the Americans.
The one thing Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson has figured out about Japan is that they are nothing like any other team the Swedes have seen so far in this tournament.
“None of the four opponents we’ve played so far are reminiscent of Japan,” Gerhardsson said.
“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 through the
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