Photo/Illutration Hinata Miyazawa dribbles through the Swedish defense during the Women's World Cup quarterfinal soccer match on Aug. 11 in Auckland. (AP Photo)

Japan was stopped by Sweden 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup played on Aug. 11 at Eden Park in Auckland, ending Nadeshiko Japan's surprising run through the tournament. 

Down 2-0, Honoka Hayashi scored Japan’s only goal in the 42nd minute of the second half, but it was not enough. 

Japan had two other opportunities to score in the second half but was stopped short by centimeters.

The best chance came when Riko Ueki was pushed down by Madelen Janogy in the goal area for a penalty, but her penalty kick in the 25th minute of the second half hit the top of the goal post and bounced out.

Early in the second half, a video replay found that Fuka Nagano got her hand on a corner kick in the penalty area.

The penalty kick was made in the sixth minute of the second half by Filippa Angeldahl for Sweden’s second goal.

In the 31st minute of the first half, Sweden went ahead with a goal by defender Amanda Ilestedt who was parked in the penalty area and jumped on an assist from Magdalena Eriksson after a free kick.

Sweden almost scored a second goal when Kosovare Asllani’s shot ricocheted off the right goal post toward the end of the first half.

Japan was seeking its second World Cup championship after winning the affair in 2011.
It breezed through group play with an unbeaten record and defeated Norway 3-1 in the first round of knockout play.

The quarterfinal was a near replay of the quarterfinal of the Tokyo Olympics two years ago that Sweden won 3-1 and knocked the host team out. 

Having defeated the top-ranked United States in the first round, Sweden now advances to face Spain in the semifinals.

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