Sweden vs Japan: Hosts look to finally get off the mark against high-flying Sweden

Sweden vs Japan: Hosts look to finally get off the mark against high-flying Sweden - July 30

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Topik: TV Schedules, Japan, Sweden, 2020 Olympics

Hosts Japan qualified for the quarter-finals despite having the weakest attack so far at the 2020 Olympic Games. Can the 2011 World Cup winners get up and running as they take on Sweden?

Preview: Sweden vs Japan

2021 has been a good year for Sweden, as the Blågult are unbeaten so far and certainly will hope to keep that run going as they take on 2020 Olympic hosts Japan. The Scandinavian side have had a very strong Olympics so far, kicking off proceedings with a 3-0 win over tournament heavyweights USA in a match that shocked many women's football fans and pundits alike.

Peter Gerhardsson's team then followed that up with a 4-2 result over Australia, during which they managed to fight from 2-1 down to snatch all three points from the Matildas. Finally, the Scandinavian side ensured they'd top their quartet as group winners by maintaining another clean sheet during a 2-0 victory against New Zealand.

Japan, meanwhile, failed to really ignite during the group stages. While the hosts conceded just twice, their rather anemic attack also found the net only twice - making Nadeshiko Japan's attack the weakest of any of the teams in the last eight. That being said, their recent record over the past ten years shows that perhaps they're not a team to be dismissed easily.

In 2011, they beat the USWNT to win the World Cup, becoming the first Asian team to do so, and followed that up with a runners' up finish at the 2015 edition. In terms of the Olympics, Japan won silver at the 2012 version of this event, and like Sweden, they've also had a very strong 2021, with Asako Takakura's troops losing just one of their last eight matches across all comps.

Team news: Sweden vs Japan

Sweden: Stina Blackstenius will likely miss out due to injury, meaning that Rebecka Blomqvist may get to start once again after featuring against New Zealand. Meanwhile, Fridolina Rolfo, who enjoyed a very good game against Australia, could return to the starting XI.

Japan: No major injury concerns for the hosts, meaning that Asako Takakura can field her strongest XI as the hosts look to get their tournament finally up and running.

Match facts: Sweden vs Japan

Sweden are unbeaten so far in 2021, with seven wins and two draws across all competitions
Japan's record against Sweden: W5 D3 L5
Japan have lost just one of their last eight matches across all comps (W6 D1)