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Tokyo — This time Sweden didn’t have to put a bunker in defense against Americans.
Stina Blackstenius scored two goals and the Swedes surprised the United States at the Olympics with a 3-0 victory in the women’s soccer tournament on Wednesday.
The American, who ranks number one in the world and likes to win a gold medal in Tokyo, took part in 44 undefeated streak wins. However, Sweden, which ranks fifth, has become a kind of enemy of the US team in recent years. Swedes bounced off Americans in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. This was the earliest exit of the US Olympics to date and was done by taking a defensive position.
In April of this year, Sweden played against the United States in a one-on-one draw in Stockholm. This was a streak dating back to January 2019 when Americans lost to France for the World Cup. This year was the only draw for the US team.
“Did you expect this result tonight? No,” he said. US forward Megan Rapinoe didn’t start, but replaced him with a score of 2-0 in the 64th minute. “It’s frustrating, and it’s frustrating that it’s Sweden. They found us a lot of space. I don’t even know how many goals I gave up this year. I gave up my last goal. I don’t remember when, so giving up on the three isn’t great. “
The Swedish attack deserves all its achievements. In the 26th minute, Blackstenius’ heading shot was far away from Sofia Jakobsson’s cross, leading the team in the first half.
Older America was most likely an opening half at the last moment the Rose Label shot hit the post. Coach Vratko Andnovsky made changes in the second half, with Alex Morgan defeating Carli Lloyd and Sam Mewis defeating Julie Ertz.
However, Blackstenius scored again in the 54th minute, beating goalkeeper Alyssa Naehar, and the Americans continued to struggle. Lina Frutig added the final goal on the 72nd.
Swedish goalkeeper Hedvig Lindah has admitted that his favorite win is encouraging, but that’s just the beginning of the tournament. The first is a group match between Australia and New Zealand.
“I know the fact that even if you lose to the United States or the person who played the first game, you can go very far in the tournament,” Lindard said. “In the end, I don’t know how much it makes sense, but we did show the world and ourselves that we can compete well with teams like the United States and other teams.”
This defeat was the first for the United States under Andnovsky to take over when former coach Jill Ellis resigned following the team’s victory at the World Cup in France. Later in the match, Andnovsky sat on the bench with no expression.
The Swedes were missing Magda Ericsson because of an injury. The team said she was training, but her compact tournament schedule kept her out of the opening round.
Tokyo is Sweden’s seventh Olympic Games. After losing to Sweden in a penalty five years ago in the quarterfinals, US goalkeeper Hope Solo is famous for calling Swedish cowards with defensive tactics.
Sweden won the silver medal and lost to Germany 2-1 in the final.
The United States has participated in all seven Olympics, including women’s football, and has won four Olympic gold medals, more than any other country. The team aims to be the first player to win the Olympic gold medal following the World Cup title.
In 2008, the United States also won the gold medal, losing 2-0 against Norway in their first match.
“In the end, you’ll experience ups and downs as an athlete. This is a difficult result, but it’s the nature of a tough tournament,” said US forward Christen Press. “It wasn’t easy. No matter what, I couldn’t easily go through the six games. So I’m here.”
This is the sixth time the United States has lost more than three goals.
Sweden is currently leading Group G in a match against Australia in Saitama on Saturday. Meanwhile, the United States will face New Zealand at the same stadium. The top two teams in the group proceed to the knockout round.
“That’s what it is,” Rapinoe said. “We were fluttering, and we have two more games coming faster and faster. And now we know exactly what we need to do. We have these games. You have to win and eventually get out of the group and go from there. “
Ann M. Peterson
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