Although the Japanese are expected to offer a tough opposition in tomorrow’s quarter-final, the Swedes have a physical advantage ahead of the loaded WC meeting.
– Their defensive players are very fast and tall so we have to be prepared, says Liverpool midfielder Fuka Nagano.
At 09.30 on Friday it’s time.
After the thrilling match against the USA, which Sweden won through a nail-biting penalty shoot-out where Lina Hurtig decided by the smallest margin, and through Zećira Mušović’s great effort in the goal, the next challenge now awaits – Japan.
And despite the fact that Japan is expected to be challenged, the Swedish team has a physical advantage in the match. Something that the Japanese team’s national team captain has thought about.
– Yes, it is true that they are long, but we are prepared for it. Our players are ready to take on the challenge, says Futoshi Ikeda.
– We must be compact in our game, we must mark very carefully, we thought.
“We have to deal with that”
The Swedish WC players have an average height of 171.6 centimeters compared to Japan’s 164.7, according to Expressen. The Japanese national team captain Ikeda Futoshi is well aware of that threat.
– We know their style and know that they are fast and aggressive and we have to deal with that, he says.
Liverpool midfielder Fuka Nagano agrees with his national team captain.
– Their defensive players are very fast and long, so we have to be prepared for that and stick to the game plan for us to have an advantage. Offensively, I think they will open up areas for us that we can exploit.
The last time Japan faced Sweden was during the Olympics in Tokyo just over two years ago. Then Sweden won 3-1. But the last time the countries met each other in a World Cup context in 2011, Sweden was completely overrun and lost 1-3.