Sweden hold off Japan fightback to reach Women's World Cup semis

ONTO THE NEXT: Sweden's Magdalena Eriksson celebrates at the end of the Women's World Cup quarterfinal. Pic: AP Photo/Abbie Parr

Sweden held off a late Japan fightback to reach the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup for the fifth time with a 2-1 win at Eden Park on Friday, leaving the tournament without a former winner in the last four.

Five days after ousting four-time champions the United States in the last 16, the Swedes dominated the 2011 title winners for most of the evening to set up a semi-final against Spain at the same stadium on Tuesday.