Sweden crush Australia to advance to semi-finals

AUGSBURG, Germany: Sweden outclassed Australia 3-1 to book a semi-final clash with Japan in the Women's World Cup here on Sunday.

Therese Sjogran (11) and Lisa Dahlkvist (16) had given the Swedes an early lead in their quarter-final tie before Ellyse Perry got one back five minutes before the break. Lotta Schelin finished off the contest after 52 minutes.

Sweden, the 2003 runners-up, next play Japan, who sensationally knocked out two-time holders Germany, in the semi-finals in Frankfurt on Wednesday.

Under the blazing Bavarian sun the more experienced Swedes closed the game down early.

Sjogran, 34, got them off the mark after 11 minutes when she picked up a Schelin cross to fire past diving goalie Melissa Barbieri, at 31 years the oldest member of the Australian team.

Sjogran came dangerously close to a second minutes later but it was Dahlkvist who found the net with a 16-minute header for her third goal in four World Cup matches here.

Collette McCallum missed a free-kick opportunity late in the first half but Perry got Australia back into the tie five minutes before the break.

The 20-year-old, who has represented Australia in both the cricket and football World Cups, picked up a corner to rifle in a curling effort outside the box to leave Hedvig Lindahl with no chance.

Back after the break the Matildas pushed forward looking for the equaliser but Lisa De Vanna was ruled offside as she raced towards goal.

However, Schelin gave the Australians a mountain to climb after the Lyon striker broke free following a breakdown in the Matildas defence to round Barbieri and coolly slot into the empty goal.

A Kyah Simon header after 63 minutes went just wide, with Schelin also missing a shot at goal at 72 minutes.

A Tameka Butt shot on goal nine minutes from time went just wide as the Swedes held on for their eighth win in nine meetings with Australia.

Sweden remain unbeaten after stunning the world number one side, the United States, 2-1 to finish top of Group C with 1-0 wins over both North Korea and Colombia.

The Matildas toppled another Scandinavian side Norway to advance to the quarter-finals for the second consecutive edition second in Group D behind Brazil.

Fifth-ranked Sweden have competed in all editions of the World Cup since the inaugural edition in 1991 when they finished third and were finalists in 2003.

The pair's only previous clash in the World Cup was in 1999 when the Scandinavians also won 3-1. They last met at the 2004 Olympics with the Swedes winning 2-1.