Sweden took the lead against Japan via Amanda Ilestedt. Then pictures were wired out after a Swedish corner where Fuka Nagano takes the ball down with his hands in the middle of the penalty area.
The Swedish players thought it was clear but it still took a while until head referee Esther Staubli ran out to the TV screen to see what the VAR room had seen.
– I stood behind and saw that it was an unnatural position. Then you try to do everything to influence, for me it was crystal clear, says Magdalena Eriksson.
The Swedish players were in their own half when Staubli awarded a penalty – it was a long way to go to Japan’s penalty spot and then Fridolina Rolfö picked up the ball to distract the opponent. But it was decided that she would not step forward.
– It happened when we had time to work home before the penalty. It’s a long way to go with a lot of thoughts and a lot going on. She helped there if there was someone who wanted to discuss with me as a penalty shooter, she could take that talk and then hand it over. It wasn’t much, they were kind and let us take it, says Filippa Angeldahl.
And when Angeldahl stood there and was about to take the penalty, boos echoed throughout the arena.
– Honestly, I turned it off. I had no idea what was happening around me, I was fully focused on what I was going to do. It was an incredibly nice feeling, she says.
What does the trust mean for the Swedish midfielder?
– It’s incredibly fun. We have many penalty takers in the team, I am not alone on the list, but you check the situation. How it went and who feels tagged. Today I felt it was my turn to step forward.
Fridolina Rolfö:
– We are both penalty shooters and she was keen, then it was just for her to take it.
Sweden also received a penalty but had the margins on their side when the ball danced on the goal line.
– I firmly believe that chance favors the prepared. It’s one of my favorite quotes and somewhere we work damn hard to have the margins on our side. It still feels good when they are on our side, says Zecira Musovic.
She continues:
– She hits the crossbar but it feels good. I hope I managed to psych her out a little.
Sweden is ready for the semi-final against Spain after defeating Japan 2-1.
2023-08-11 20:10:00
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