Australia vs Sweden: Tokyo Olympics 2020 Women’s Football Semi-Final – LIVE!

16 Minutes: Good delivery from Catley but Kennedy doesn’t raise his head and the Swede breaks the fast. Blackstenius leads the charge and eventually shoots from the side of the box, but it is subdued and Micah is barely pulled into a save.

14 minutes: The game is yet to settle. Ford takes advantage of broken play, earning a 35m free-kick. The delivery bounces off the box and Ford is again on the far post to hook the ball back in the face – but there is no yellow shirt for the advantage. Nerve while defending from Sweden, corner to Australia.

12 Minutes: Now they get down and play and go to the final third on the right, then win the second ball to get to the box again, but on both occasions Australia defended strongly. NS matilda Defensively drilled very well in these games, it has changed rapidly.

10 Minutes: Sweden has been a bit eager to channel Jacobson. He looks crunchy enough on the ball to play through the line, but he lacks the patience in the middle third in these early stages.

8 Minutes: Australia are so focused on safety first that there are no further numbers to break when the corner overheats. Patience is eventually rewarded, though with a clean move to the left and a sharp cross being kicked, leaving Lindahl just ahead of the leaping Kerr.

6 Minutes: Sweden is offering nothing in the form of a press, allowing Australia’s defense to pass it harmlessly all the time in the world, then pumping up the long diagonal. This is an attractive tactic as it allows space through midfield on the counter, which the Swede takes advantage of to free Jacobson again on the right and his cross is awarded to the Swede from the night’s first corner. The first delivery goes smoothly, but a second attempt in the box requires a hasty clearance from Simon conceding another corner.

4 minutes: The Swede has settled quickly on the ball, looking for short vertical passes through the lines of Aslani and Blackstanius’ feet, offset in the channels for Jacobson by the alternate ball.

Aslani has the first shot on target of the night, quickening into a drive that Mika gets behind with a small rumble. Australia are yet to string together an attacking phase.

2 minutes: Poor start for both the teams with turnover in midfield. Nerves are clearly expected to consider the stakes.

Teams are in Yokohama for the national anthem. Sweden in its transformation bar of Prussian blue from top to toe, Australia in all highlighter pens yellow.

I think I’ve already made it clear that Sweden is the real deal, and deserves to start as strong favorites tonight, but if it needs to be even thicker: Australia never beat Sweden in a competitive match is defeated. And Sweden has already knocked matilda Out in the quarter-final stage of the 2004 Olympics and 2011 Women’s World Cup.

But… Matildas boss Tony Gustavsson is Swedish and tonight will know his opponents better than any coach who has faced Sweden in these games.

Sweden is unbeaten in 10 matches in 2021 (eight wins, two draws). He has scored more than once in a game only twice, but he has scored three or more runs on six occasions. One of those draws was 0–0 with Australia in June. One of those high-scoring wins was against Australia in the group stage.

Suzanne Wrack Tony Gustavson has been influenced by: matilda Coach.

What has he done since his arrival? “Everyone is starting to be on the same page and seeing the same picture,” Gustavsson said. “We try to build teams from player strengths, not just ‘Tony’s tactics.’ It’s not just my strategy, it’s about strategizing around key players in key positions and trying to make the most of them. is in.

Samantha Lewis tracking the development of this group of matilda, and his never losing spirit, over the years.

Sweden remains unchanged from their quarterfinal win over Japan.

1. Lindahly
4. Glass
6. Ericsson
9. Aslani
10. Jacobson
11. Blackstenius
13. Illstead
14. Bjorn
16. Angeldall
17. Victory (C)
18. Rolfo