Sweden goalkeeper Zecira Musovic says she is “in the zone” on the Women’s World Cup after a succession of essential saves denied the United States in an ominous signal for quarterfinal opponent Japan.
The Chelsea stopper exploded on the worldwide stage together with her breathtaking efficiency in Sweden’s penalty shootout win in opposition to the defending champion in Melbourne on Sunday.
The 27-year-old produced 11 saves, many world-class, to maintain the Americans at bay over 120 minutes of motion.
“You can only love the feeling of when you’re in the zone and stuff is happening in a way that you’re just doing it,” stated Musovic, who battles with Germany’s Ann-Katrin Berger for a beginning place at Chelsea.
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“I had a really good feeling before the game. We had a good feeling in the squad, we know what we are capable of.”
Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson stated her player-of-the-match antics may have weighed on American minds once they lined as much as take their penalties.
Megan Rapinoe, Sophia Smith and Kelley O’Hara all missed from the spot, leaving Lisa Hurtig to ship Sweden by means of 5-4 and turn into the primary crew ever to get rid of the USA earlier than the semi-finals.
“I don’t know what she did, what mental thing that she did to make them put them over the bar and things like that,” he stated.
“But I think goalkeepers like these kinds of penalties, they’re mentally prepared, that’s their game.
“She was good in the game. Even if she didn’t save any penalties, I think for the other team, maybe they put it outside because they know that if it’s not a good penalty, maybe she takes it.”
Gerhardsson shall be banking on Musovic as soon as once more when the world quantity three meet in-form Japan in Auckland on Friday, with a semifinal berth at stake.
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He is anticipating a unique tactical recreation from the 2011 champion, which powered into the quarterfinals with a 3-1 win over Norway.
“We met Japan in the (Tokyo) Olympics, and they are very skilful in their technique,” he stated, referring to a recreation Sweden received 3-1.
“They don’t play as directly as the US so it’s going to be a different kind of game.
“It’ll be more about possession. They play a bit more like Italy, skilful and taking moves forward with many passes.
“So for us, it’s going to be about good defending, maybe a bit lower, and then transition is going to be important.”
