Sweden happy for centre back Ilestedt to be leading their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup scoring

AUCKLAND, Aug 14 – Sweden centre again Amanda Ilestedt looms as an unlikely candidate to say the Golden Boot on the Women’s World Cup nevertheless it comes as no shock to her group mates.

Ahead of Tuesday’s semi-final in opposition to Spain, Ilestedt has 4 objectives for the match, one shy of the main Hinata Miyazawa, who can not add to her tally after Japan’s elimination by Sweden within the quarter-finals.

All of Ilestedt’s objectives have come from set items, whereas eight out of Sweden’s 11 objectives on the match have adopted dead-ball set-ups.

“I think set pieces is one our biggest strengths and something we work on,” Sweden captain Kosovare Asllani informed reporters on Monday.

“I mean, Amanda is amazing, but we have so many players that are really good in the area.

“In the top, I do not assume anybody cares who’s the main goal-scorer.

“The only thing we’re thinking about is winning games.”

Winger Fridolina Rolfo, who has two objectives for the match, stated not many individuals would have anticipated Ilestedt to be Sweden’s prime scorer.

“But she’s an amazing player and she really deserves this,” she stated.

“And we all know how good she is heading the ball. And yes, set pieces, as Kosa (Asllani) said, it’s one of our strengths, so I’m not surprised.

“But on the identical time, I’m pleased for her.”

Bidding for their first World Cup title, Sweden will play their fifth semi-final at the global showpiece against a Spanish team whose best at two previous World Cups was the round-of-16.

Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson said winger Sofia Jakobsson had very “gentle signs of sickness” but he expected all of his squad to be available for the clash against Spain at Auckland’s Eden Park.

The winner will play co-hosts Australia or England in the final.

Since taking over the team in 2017, Gerhardsson has steered Sweden to the semi-finals of both the 2019 World Cup in France and last year’s European championship, where they were eliminated by eventual champions England.

Asked if he was now used to coaching in major semi-finals, Gerhardsson shrugged.

“I do really feel, nevertheless, that it is a fantastic new expertise,” he told reporters.

“It’s solely if you get into the precise sport, that you may determine what the state of affairs goes to be like on the pitch.

“But we have a good feeling and it’s a completely new semi- final with new emotions, good feelings, about this.”

—Reuters