japan 3 sweden 1
sweden took an early lead, öqvist pouncing on a stray pass from midfield to defence to race clear and put it beyond the keeper.
but after that, japan started playing football, and boy, what football did they play. until the 70th minute, sweden had only one shot and didnt get near the japanese box at all.
japan pressed, passed and ran to perfection. if france were a joy to watch, japan were on another level all together when they fully expressed themselves. you can see the idea behind every pass. the decisions they made were top notch. it was all very zen.
the swedes had no answer, and fell 3-1 behind. the attacking changes were then made, and even then, they only carved out 3 shots (1 on target).
the crowd started the game supporting sweden, understandably, considering japan had spoilt the german party. but by the end of it, they were applauding the japanese.
good football played with fairness, sportsmanship and heart will always be appreciated.
and that is what japan played.
i think their keeper was outstanding. i know i criticised her distribution against england, but the way japan plays, they need other qualities in their keeper and she has those: quick off the line to play as a sweeper, solid on the crosses. she is not the best keeper, but the kind of keeper japan needs.
norio sasaki the coach is quite a genius. the personnel changes he's made have all reaped rewards. maruyama came on at half time against germany and got the winner. kawasumi started against sweden and got two goals.
japan will face their biggest test against the americans, because this is one team that won't hesitate to send those high balls in. and in wambach, they have the best header in the game.
but after that, japan started playing football, and boy, what football did they play. until the 70th minute, sweden had only one shot and didnt get near the japanese box at all.
japan pressed, passed and ran to perfection. if france were a joy to watch, japan were on another level all together when they fully expressed themselves. you can see the idea behind every pass. the decisions they made were top notch. it was all very zen.
the swedes had no answer, and fell 3-1 behind. the attacking changes were then made, and even then, they only carved out 3 shots (1 on target).
the crowd started the game supporting sweden, understandably, considering japan had spoilt the german party. but by the end of it, they were applauding the japanese.
good football played with fairness, sportsmanship and heart will always be appreciated.
and that is what japan played.
i think their keeper was outstanding. i know i criticised her distribution against england, but the way japan plays, they need other qualities in their keeper and she has those: quick off the line to play as a sweeper, solid on the crosses. she is not the best keeper, but the kind of keeper japan needs.
norio sasaki the coach is quite a genius. the personnel changes he's made have all reaped rewards. maruyama came on at half time against germany and got the winner. kawasumi started against sweden and got two goals.
japan will face their biggest test against the americans, because this is one team that won't hesitate to send those high balls in. and in wambach, they have the best header in the game.
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