FOOTBALL COLUMN • After a draw against Japan, Sweden advances in the World Cup and will play the round of 16 against France or Norway, with a slight reservation for further results. The concern before the match was that the 1936 Olympic fiasco would be repeated, when Sweden as heavy favorites fell to a bravely fighting Japanese team that defended their 3-2 lead tooth and nail, famously narrated in Sven Jerring’s classic radio commentary: ”Japan, Japan, Japan”.

In fact, towards the end of the match, Japan seemed most interested in preserving the tied result, going on the defensive since they couldn’t win the group anyway. This gave Sweden some scoring opportunities in the final minutes. Otherwise, the final result was fair, as neither team produced any truly dangerous attacks apart from Japan’s goal, which was a delicacy where a completely unmarked player could easily roll the ball into the net.

Sweden’s goal, signed by Anthony Elanga, was a surprisingly precise shot that caught the Japanese goalkeeper unsighted, reacting a bit too late, letting the ball drill in by the far post. Potter’s starting eleven was the most offensive yet, and when Isak Hien was injured towards the end of the first half and Lucas Bergvall came on, Sweden finally had its five most offensively creative players on the pitch at the same time: Isak, Elanga, Gyökeres, Ayari, and Bergvall — the latter having much of the ball in midfield and increasingly appearing indispensable in the team.

In any case, Sweden’s defense must improve regardless of who they face in the next match. They need to start pressing the ball carrier early, already at the halfway line, so as not to let the other team calmly and undisturbed pass the ball around on Sweden’s half. A Swedish midfield disrupter who just chases and pressures the ball carrier, in the style of Håkan Mild in the 1994 World Cup squad, is needed — whoever that may be?

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Sweden’s probable opponent in the next match is one of the favorites for the World Cup title, France, who face Norway in their final group stage match where a draw is enough to win the group. Should the Norwegians beat France, it will be a Nordic derby in the round of 16 and a chance for Sweden to get revenge for the rout in the World Cup warm-up. However, it’s a bit disappointing that only one Nordic team will remain for the round of 16, but the Swedish team has a slightly better chance against Norway than against France, who seem unstoppable. Friday evening at 21:00 it will be decided which team Sweden will face.

P.S. Apparently, there is a microscopic chance that Sweden’s next opponent could be Germany or Switzerland, depending on FIFA’s ranking of the third-placed teams in the groups.