The Japanese got here out for the second half with intent, Ao Tanaka’s wayward strike underlining that Hajime Moriyasu’s aspect wouldn’t be content material to sit down again and take a degree.
The dynamism of their play was rewarded when Maeda utilized the final touch to an beautiful workforce purpose instigated by Ritsu Doan.
The winger acquired a return move from Ayase Ueda as he reduce in from the correct and slid the ball into the area between the Swedish centre-backs for the unmarked Maeda to stroke his shot house.
Japan’s lead was to final six minutes, nonetheless, as Elanga contributed a high quality end of his personal to equalise, bending a left-foot strike from the nook of the realm over the Japanese defence and previous the unsighted Zion Suzuki.
Suzuki needed to be at his sharpest to maintain the scores degree three minutes later with a sprawling save to his left to maintain out Alexander Isak’s try because the Swedes belatedly began to point out their attacking high quality.
And the goalkeeper was available to disclaim Isak once more in stoppage time, palming the ahead’s header into the air to substantiate a second-place end for the Japanese.
