Women's World Cup 2019: Sweden to change tactics for USA match

After winning its first two games of the Women's World Cup, Sweden boss Peter Gerhardsson is ready for a different challenge against USA.

Published : Jun 17, 2019 12:52 IST

Kosovare Asllani (left) celebrates a goal with her team-mates at the Women's World Cup. Photo: AP
Kosovare Asllani (left) celebrates a goal with her team-mates at the Women's World Cup. Photo: AP
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Kosovare Asllani (left) celebrates a goal with her team-mates at the Women's World Cup. Photo: AP

Sweden will change its tactics for a clash against the United States that will decide which side tops Group F, says coach Peter Gerhardsson.

A 5-1 win over Thailand in Nice on Sunday means Sweden has collected maximum points from two games, after beating Chile 2-0 in its opener, and is guaranteed of a place in the last 16. Sweden had five different scorers in a comfortable victory that means it will go head-to-head against USA, which beat Thailand by a record 13-0 scoreline, for top spot in the group.

USA is also through after easy victories in its two matches so far with the sides set to face off in Le Havre on Thursday. And Gerhardsson is looking forward to a different challenge against USA, which is among the tournament favourites having reached the past two Women's World Cup finals.

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"I've never won a match before playing it and I never will, so all you can do is prepare a number of potential scenarios, then play," he told reporters after his side beat Thailand. "Sometimes you must wait like against Chile but it was somewhat easier today. We got the first goal early from a set piece so the way the match developed today and against Chile, it will not be like that against the United States.

"It's going to be a completely different match and it will be very important for us, naturally. When you go into the second round we'll have more matches against teams like the U.S. rather than like matches against the one with Chile.

"But we have to win the matches to get through it, it's all about how games develop and how players perform but it will be a different match and we will approach it differently tactically. I believe we will be good against USA, it will be a good game. They saved seven players to play against us so we're happy about that."

 

Thailand was able to celebrate its first goal of the tournament, as well as an improved defensive display, after its record-breaking humiliation at the hands of USA. And coach Nuengruethai Sathongwien felt Kanjana Sungngoen's strike late in the game, which sparked emotional celebrations, made Thailand's hard work worthwhile.

"This goal meant a lot to us," she told a post-match news conference. "It's difficult to score a goal playing a great team like Sweden. It meant so much and meant all our preparation paid off. We had a lot of chances today, this one goal made us smile and makes us happy.

"Our defeat in the last game was massive and we were disappointed, but even scoring one goal means we had some success. We still need to improve and get better to get close to other super teams and we need to play the match better so we can enjoy it more.

"In the next game we are playing against Chile and must study their strengths and weaknesses."

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