Texas, June 26 -- Japan finished second in Group F while Sweden also progressed to the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 after the two sides played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw in their final group-stage match at AT&T Stadium on Friday IST.
The result ensured Japan advanced with five points, behind group winners the Netherlands on seven, while Sweden's four-point haul was enough to send them through as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams. Tunisia finished bottom of the group without a point.
With qualification within reach for both sides, the opening half was a cautious affair, producing few clear-cut opportunities as neither team was willing to take unnecessary risks.
Japan broke the deadlock in the 56th minute through Daizen Maeda. ...