PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Sweden roared and won against the USA.
Now a much tougher task awaits.
Then Lina Hurtig has come up with an ingenious plan for the WC quarter-finals.
The Swedish national team managed to win by the smallest possible millimeter margin and knock the USA out of the World Cup. Now another tough match awaits against the championship’s most successful team so far – when Japan is the opposition in the World Cup quarter-finals on Friday morning.
Japan is the favorite
Japan has made a big impression by defeating Spain in the group stage with a clear 4-0 and then easily taking care of Norway with 3-1 in the round of 16. Once again, Sweden hits from below, but with the victory against the USA behind them, the blue and yellow players come to Friday’s match with plenty of confidence.
The article continues after the picture.
Most recently it was Lina Hurtig who set the decisive penalty to send the Swedes further in the world championship. Now she knows what it takes to scream again.
– They have looked very good, so it will be tough. They are fast, nimble and have high possession, but they have also shown a slightly straighter game, says Hurtig to SVT about Japan.
READ MORE: Hedvig Lindahl’s harsh judgment after Zecira Musovic’s feat – now airs her criticism of the Swedish team
Hurtig’s plan
But the Swedish WC hero has also found a very ingenious plan to defeat the Japanese.
– Don’t give them the ball, she says with a lovely laugh in the interview.
– Take it back as soon as possible and have the attitude that it will be difficult in the defensive game.
The article continues after the picture.
The Swedes are well prepared for the fact that it will be a completely different kind of match compared to the previous four in this WC.
– Yes, I would say that. The USA is very physical, Japan is faster on small surfaces and likes to play out. So it will be a different kind of resistance, says Hanna Bennison to the television channel.
– We have to be careful in defence, but I think it can suit us.
How do you think it goes for Sweden against Japan? Share the article and have your say!
READ MORE: Leif Boork is forced to eat every word after the criticism against Zecira Musovic – everyone is now talking about this year’s miss of the hockey profile