Japan will stick to their strengths when they face a taller Swedish side in Friday's Women's World Cup football quarterfinal clash, midfielder Fuka Nagano said.
"The Swedish players will use their speed, height, and physical ability to attack," Nagano said during a press conference Thursday in Auckland, New Zealand.
"We have to prepare and concentrate on taking the initiative. When we get possession, we want to build up by quickly passing to an open player."
At the press conference, many questions from the international media focused on Japan midfielder Hinata Miyazawa and her tournament-leading five goals, although defender Magdalena Eriksson said Sweden have to be wary of the entire Japan team and not just one player.
Nadeshiko Japan will attempt to reach the semifinals for the first time since they finished runners-up to the United States at the 2015 World Cup.
Japan, currently 11th in the world rankings, have five wins, six losses and three draws in their past meetings against third-ranked Sweden.
"We're in good shape," Japan's manager Futoshi Ikeda. "It's going to be a tough match, but we'll just play hard."
