Set pieces the secret of Sweden’s success as World Cup semi-final awaits

AUCKLAND – Sweden’s rich run of goals from set pieces saw them squeeze out a 2-1 victory over Japan on Friday to set up a semi-final against Spain, as they continue their chase for a long-awaited first World Cup triumph.

Faced with one of the most formidable teams left in the tournament, the Swedes dug deep into their bag of dead-ball tricks and, though they did not execute them as cleanly as in previous games, it was still enough to see them through in a thrilling match at Eden Park.

A scramble after a free kick saw Amanda Ilestedt score her fourth goal of the tournament – all coming from set pieces – and a Jonna Andersson corner was handled in the box, allowing Filippa Angeldahl to rifle home the resulting penalty.

“What’s going on? It’s completely crazy, completely crazy,” defender Ilestedt told Swedish radio when asked about her red-hot scoring streak. “I’m happy as long as we’re winning, but it’s fun that the ball is going in too.”

Sweden’s dead-ball set-ups are often decided by assistant coach Magnus Wikman, who spends hours poring over ideas and then patiently drilling his players during training.

That collective effort has been their greatest source of success at the tournament – eight of their 11 goals coming from set pieces, either directly or after opponents failed to clear.

Apart from that, they also successfully smothered Japan’s fast-paced passing game in midfield.

The Japanese side’s best chances also came from set pieces, but they missed a penalty and saw a free kick strike the bar and bounce on the line before spinning away.

The Nadeshiko pulled a goal back in the 87th minute via Honoka Hayashi but it was too little, too late as Peter Gerhardsson’s Swedish side played the percentages perfectly once again to set up a semi-final against the Spaniards – who defeated the Netherlands 2-1 – next Tuesday.

“It’s wonderful, obviously,” Gerhardsson told Swedish radio.

“The game had everything. In terms of performance, we had our best of the tournament. It got very exciting, because Japan are one of the best teams in the tournament.”

By knocking out 2011 champions Japan and with the United States, Germany and Norway having already gone home, Sweden ensured that whichever team win this enthralling World Cup will do so for the first time in their history.

The Scandinavian side’s best result at the Finals came in 2003, when they lost to Germany in the final, but this time they are aiming to go one better.

“Obviously we’re not happy with a semi-final, we want to go the whole way,” Sweden captain Kosovare Asllani said.

“I believe strongly in my team and we’ll be more than ready for Tuesday.”

Japan, meanwhile, looked a pale imitation of the side who had scored 14 goals in their previous four matches and got their first attempt on goal only in the 63rd minute.

They stuck to their task, however, and had a chance to cut the deficit when Riko Ueki was bowled over in the penalty box by Madelen Janogy in the 75th minute.

The striker took the spot kick herself but was only able to clang the ball against the woodwork with her follow-up header going well over the bar.

Teenager Aoba Fujino’s free kick then hit the bar and goalkeeper Zecira Musovic’s head but somehow stayed out. Then Hayashi lashed the ball into the net from Japan’s next attacking move to set up a frenetic finale.

Japan coach Futoshi Ikeda said Sweden had done a fine job stifling his midfield, but he thought his players should hold their heads high.

“Our players grew at the World Cup,” he said.

“We lost this match, but their work at this tournament is something that we should assess positively.” REUTERS