PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Sweden against Japan in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Then most of the focus is directed towards a particular player.
As the Japanese fear before the showdown with Sweden on Friday morning.
Japan have impressed the most of all the teams in this FIFA World Cup, defeating both Spain and Norway quite easily en route to the quarter-finals. While Sweden managed to reach with the smallest possible millimeter margin by defeating the USA in the most dramatic penalty shootout during the round of 16.
Coat of arms of Sweden
Now both teams collide to settle for a place in the WC semi-finals. Ahead of the match on Friday morning, the Japanese now show a clear fear of a particular Swedish weapon – and point out the Swedish one they are most afraid of.
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Namely the fullback Jonna Andersson and her deadly corners that have resulted in so many goals for Sweden so far during the World Cup. It was most clear in the big victory against Italy, where three out of five goals came from Andersson’s corners.
– Fixed situations will be incredibly important. Above all in this situation when it is win or lose matches, says Jonna in an interview with Dagens Nyheter.
– It can be decisive in matches.
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Japan’s fear
When the Japanese press found Sweden’s training, all the focus was on Jonna Andersson and her dreaded corners. During the open training, the TV crews focused on the Swede to get as many good pictures as possible of her famous left foot.
– So, we don’t base our game on fixed situations. But that the opponents talk about it. I love that, that they have that fear, says Sweden’s assistant confederation captain Magnus Wikman to the daily newspaper.
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It is not only Andersson’s foot that favors Sweden, but also the advantage they have in terms of length. Where the average height in the Swedish squad is 167.6 centimeters compared to Japan’s 162.5 centimeters, thus a difference of a full five centimeters overall.
– It is clear that we have an advantage there. We have a lot of good main players, says the midfielder Elin Rubensson to DN but also want to highlight that there are skilled main players in Japan as well, even if they are not as tall.
– You can still jump high. But it is clear that it is something we can take advantage of.
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