Japan face Sweden in their final World Cup group stage clash, an intriguing contest in Arlington, Texas which – on the basis of the two teams’ last two matches – could be a goalfest.
There’s almost everything to play for in Group F, where the top three could all reverse order after the final set of games. The Netherlands lead Japan on goals scored with four points from the first available six while Sweden trail one point behind, with pointless Tunisia already out of the reckoning.
Dark horses Japan thumped underperformers Tunisia 4-0 last time out, while Sweden got a taste of their own medicine as Graham Potter’s side were torn apart 5-1 by the Netherlands, having beaten Tunisia by the same scoreline in their opener.
A draw would be enough for Japan to guarantee a top-two finish and automatic progression to the knockout rounds, but there remains plenty of jeopardy in this group as a defeat for Sweden would leave them looking over their shoulder at other third-placed teams.
Follow latest updates from Japan v Sweden below:
What Japan’s blueprint to win the World Cup by 2050 tells us about football’s future
Japan believe they have cracked the code to becoming a football superpower and it has everything to do with joy.
Four years ago the JFA released a manifesto outlining exactly how they plan to win the World Cup by 2050. As hosts, no less.
The strategy is filled with the familiar ingredients of pyramid graphics and bullet points, mentions of synergy and talent identification, but the headline that sets The Japan Way apart arrives on the first page.
“To become the happiest country in the world through football.”
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Japan v Sweden LIVE: Welcome!
Japan face Sweden in their final World Cup group stage clash, an intriguing contest in Arlington, Texas which – on the basis of the two teams’ last two matches – could be a goalfest.
There’s almost everything to play for in Group F, where the top three could all reverse order after the final set of games. The Netherlands lead Japan on goals scored with four points from the first available six while Sweden trail one point behind, with pointless Tunisia already out of the reckoning.
Dark horses Japan thumped underperformers Tunisia 4-0 last time out, while Sweden got a taste of their own medicine as Graham Potter’s side were torn apart 5-1 by the Netherlands, having beaten Tunisia by the same scoreline in their opener.
A draw would be enough for Japan to guarantee a top-two finish and automatic progression to the knockout rounds, but there remains plenty of jeopardy in this group as a defeat for Sweden would leave them looking over their shoulder at other third-placed teams.
Follow latest build-up and updates from Japan v Sweden, right here.
