Women’s World Cup 2011 Semifinals, Sweden Vs. Japan: Preview

In the United States, all eyes are on the early game in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where the USA are taking on France. However, should the United States win that game, there’s no doubt that the late game between Sweden and Japan will suddenly get just as much attention, and why shouldn’t it? It’s already getting equal time from the neutrals, as Sweden and Japan are just as intriguing as the USWNT and France. Regardless of the result of the first match, it’s going to be a fantastic one that’s well worth your time.

Sweden got off to a slow start in the tournament, scraping by with 1-0 wins over teams they should have defeated easily in their first two games, but they have seriously found their form in their last two against the United States and Australia. Mostly, that seems to be because Lotta Schelin has found her form. Labeled as the female Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Schelin was poor in the first two matches, but very dangerous against the U.S. and unquestionably brilliant against Australia.

It wasn’t particularly stunning that a team as good as Sweden was able to defeat the United States, but it was surprising that they were able to do it while Caroline Seger, their best player in their first two games, was suspended for yellow card accumulation. With Seger back in the lineup and Schelin back in form against Australia, Sweden finally reached their potential and put together their best performance of the tournament.

Their combination of form, speed, and skill makes them the slight favorites to win this tournament going into the semifinals, but their semifinal opponents are no slouches. Japan, the team in this tournament most often compared to Barcelona for their slick passing style, beat the favorites Germany in their quarterfinal match.

Had Japan not been able to keep the ball and frustrate Germany to no end in the quarterfinals, it would be hard to envision a match in which Japan would not eventually succumb to the size and speed that Sweden has on their roster. However, Germany did not have a playmaking player like Seger...or at least they didn’t use her. Lira Barjamaj was left on the bench by Germany against Japan, but Sweden will have their version of Lira on the pitch from the start. Schelin is also a much better playmaking forward than Inka Grings. Germany’s problems stemmed from a lack of creativity in breaking down Japan. Sweden shouldn’t have that problem.

Japan will do a fair bit of keeping the ball and they might be able to frustrate Sweden in doing so, but they shouldn’t be able to keep Sweden off the scoreboard like they did against Germany. If they can score a few of their own, they’re in business, but Sweden definitely enter this match as the favorites to advance to the final.