Soccer-Set pieces the secret of Sweden's success as World Cup semi-final awaits

Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Quarter Final - Japan v Sweden - Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand - August 11, 2023 Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

AUCKLAND (Reuters) - Sweden's rich run of goals from set pieces saw them squeeze out a 2-1 victory over Japan on Friday to set them up for a semi-final against Spain as they continue their chase for a long-awaited first World Cup triumph.

Faced with one of the most formidable teams left in the tournament, Sweden dug deep in their bag of dead-ball tricks and, though they did not execute them as cleanly as in previous games, it was still enough to see them through.