Head coach Futoshi Ikeda said Japan are prepared for a tough test against a Swedish side who are determined to win the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time after finishing third four years ago. 

 

"We do not plan to play defensively as we want to take the game to Sweden," said Ikeda. 

 

"I am sure Sweden will start strongly and we must respond accordingly to control the game. They are fast, very aggressive and tall, so we have to be prepared to deal with that first and foremost."

Ikeda has proven to be a mastermind, with Japan's ability to change gameplans catching both Spain in the group stage and Norway in the Round of 16 by surprise. 

 

Sweden, however, will prove to be a tough challenge, with the Scandinavian side having defeated Japan 3-1 in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Round of 16.

 

"That we are able change our approach during matches is all because of the players. They have been completely focused since the start of the tournament and that has brought us to where we are today. 

 

"We want to keep winning and I am confident that we will produce our best yet again on Friday," said Ikeda. 

While Norway's goal in the Round of 16 was the first Japan have conceded in Australia & New Zealand 2023, Sweden will head into the quarter-final having kept a clean sheet in their last three matches. 

 

Ikeda, however, believes there will be opportunities for Japan.

 

"Sweden are a very tall and fast side. They will be dangerous moving forward and compact when defending but we will create opportunities and when we do, we must finish them.

 

"There is no one particular player that we will focus on. We must be wary of them as a team."

Ikeda said he was not concerned about Japan having lost to Sweden in the Tokyo Olympics. 

 

"This is a new competition, a new challenge. It is  difficult to compare but we believe our fans here and those who are wating, we feel their support  

 

"We will be prepared for all eventualities, we are not only training for possible penalty kicks. We have been focusing on all aspects."

Ikeda said the squad is determined to emulate Japan's 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup winning side. 

 

"The players and the technical team all want  develop Japan's women's football. The players want to contribute towards a strong Nadeshiko team. We have players playing abroad in a bid to become better, a fully pro women's league in Japan and  grassroots development.

 

"We are doing all this but we still have to do more. Our players are becoming more ambitious and all this has brought us to where we are and how we play in the World Cup will determine how we continue to grow."

Sweden head coach Peter Gerhardsson said his side can expect a different game compared to their match against the United States. 

 

"This won't be like the physical game we had against the USA. It will be a lot more technical and fast-paced. When we get possession we will need to move the ball quickly and make the most of our physical advantage," said Gerhardsson.

 

The winners on Friday will meet either Spain or the Netherlands in the semi-finals on Tuesday.