Japan Women v Sweden Women Betting Odds for the 2011 Women’s World Cup semi final has come about thanks to perhaps one of the biggest upsets ever in the tournament’s history. Japan Women caused the biggest upset of the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup so far, as they recorded a 1-0 win in extra time to knock out the defending champions Germany Women. Held in their own back yard, Germany Women, who have won the last two editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, were expected to comfortably move on through the tournament as favourites. But they were surprised. Japan Women really had to hang on during the opening half of their quarter final match against Germany Women, as they could barely get out of their own half. It looked something of a foregone conclusion that Germany Women would eventually power through, but the Japan Women, had different ideas. It took a long time for Japan Women to get into their stride in their match, but after they had weathered the storm, when Japan Women did get the chance to put their foot on the ball, they started to get a bit of a grip in midfield. They did produce some sustained pressure in the second half, but Germany Women still looked the more threatening. Japan Women’s moment of triumph came after 108 minutes when substitute Maruyama got on the end of a long ball to angle her shot home. The home fans were stunned into silence, but the Japan Women were left delighted and had a little more defending to do, but hang on to record a hard earned victory.
Sweden Women were the only ones to progress through to the semi finals of the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup without needing extra time. It was a comfortable progress through to the semi finals for Sweden Women, after they brushed aside the challenge of Australia Women in the quarter finals. Sweden raced out to an early lead, going two nil up after just a quarter hour of the quarter final match. Sweden Women were the better side for most of the match, and remain one of the strong forces in women’s international game. The Australian Women did try to get back at them, but the Sweden defence stood up well enough when they were pressed back, but they capitalised on a gift of a goal from their opponents to put the game well out of reach. Sweden Women are physical and strong and have a great attacking line up. They are perhaps just a little more conservative with going forward, but they look very efficient with the ball and what they do with it. They will probably be able to give most sides in the tournament a physical encounter, but they are gifted with a lot of skill on the deck. When the Australians were throwing high balls into the box, it really played to the strengths of the big Swedish Women defence. The Europeans will be favourites to win this one, but they will be looking hard at the Japan Women, against whom, they have not won in their past four meetings.
There have been seven meetings between Sweden Women and Japan Women before this semi final encounter. Sweden Women have the upper hand here between the two nations, with 4 wins out of those seven encounters, two wins and one loss. Sweden have fired in 20 goals in those seven matches, while Japan have responded with just six. They have met before in the Women’s World Cup, twice in fact. Back in 1991, Sweden won 8-0 in the group stages, and again beat Japan Women in the 1995 edition by a 2-0 score line in the group matches. The two sides have met twice this year in friendly matches, Japan winning one and a 1-1 draw in the other encounter. That makes Japan unbeaten in the last four meetings.
Japan Women v Sweden Women Betting Tip
Well, Japan Women have the better record over the last four meetings between the two sides. However, the Japan Women, while confident, got through a lot of hard, tiring work against the Germans, and would look for the Swedish Women, with all their organised strengths to get through this. They have better power and better options to work with and could dominate in the air. Stick with the Sweden Women.
Japan Women v Sweden Women Betting Odds
Sweden Women: 11/8 at BetFred
Draw: 23/10 at Stan James
Japan Women: 23/10 at Bwin
Women’s World Cup 2011 – Germany – Schedule, More Betting Tips & Results
