[World Cup Review] 'Different from Korea' Japan advances to Round of 32 undefeated in World Cup... draws 1-1 with Sweden, finishes second in Group F

*This content was translated by AI.

There was no twist. The Japan national football team advanced to the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup with an undefeated record in the group stage.

Japan (FIFA ranking 18th), led by coach Hajime Moriyasu, drew 1-1 with Sweden (38th) in the Group F third-round match held at the Dallas Stadium in the United States on the 26th (Korean time).

With today's draw, Japan recorded an undefeated record of one win and two draws (five points) in the three group stage matches, following a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands and a 4-0 victory over Tunisia.

Japan advanced directly to the Round of 32 in second place in the group, behind the Netherlands (seven points), which defeated Tunisia in a match held at the same time.

Japan is the first Asian team to secure qualification for the Round of 32 in this tournament.

South Korea could have been the first Asian team to reach the Round of 32, but South Korea, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, fell to third place in Group A after a loss to South Africa the previous day and must now compare its results with other third-placed teams from other groups.

Japan, deploying Ayaase Ueda (Feyenoord), Daizen Maeda (Celtic FC), and Ritsu Doan (Frankfurt) up front, seized control with its characteristic well-organized football. Through organic pressing, Japan won possession of the ball and immediately sought opportunities through sharp counterattacks.

Japan opened the scoring with a shot by Doan in the 15th minute of the first half and again targeted the opponent's goal with a long-range shot by Yukinari Sugawara (Werder Bremen) late in the first half. A shot by Keito Nakamura (Reims) with his right foot inside the penalty box late in the first half was saved by the goalkeeper.

Japan continued to press Sweden while maintaining control, with Ao Tanaka (Leeds United) missing the target slightly with a shot in the third minute of the second half, leaving some regret.

Japan's offensive push finally bore fruit in the 11th minute of the second half. In the 11th minute, Doan sent a penetrating pass to Maeda, who was making a run into the space behind the defense, and Maeda finished with his right foot in front of the goal.

Japan's lead did not last long. Six minutes later, an unexpected left-footed long-range shot by Newcastle United's Anthony Elanga from the right corner of the penalty box found its way into the Japanese goal.

After that, Japan engaged in a fierce battle with Sweden. Both Japan and Sweden targeted each other's goals with sharp shots. Having secured their place in the Round of 32, Japan even had the luxury of bringing on Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), born in 1986, in the 30th minute of the second half, and as time passed, focused more on defense to hold on. No team managed to break the balance. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

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*This content was translated by AI.