On June 25, after a 1-1 draw with Japan, Swedish defender Ken Sema was interviewed.

Before the match against Japan, Ken Sema delivered an inspiring speech to his teammates, arranged by head coach Graham Potter. He said after the match: "The speech worked."

In yesterday's match against Japan, 32-year-old Ken Sema made his FIFA World Cup debut. He came on as a substitute in the final ten minutes of the match and helped his team secure a 1-1 draw in Dallas, ensuring their progression from the group stage.

After the match, Sema was one of the last players to arrive at the mixed zone for interviews. He was emotional when discussing his feelings about his first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance.

He specifically mentioned the 2018 Russia World Cup, where he was cut from the squad at the last minute.

He said: "I'm very happy, words can't describe how I feel. I've waited eight years, and I was even a bit emotional when I walked onto the pitch. I've worked very hard for this moment."

"You can imagine how I feel, my family is here too, my parents and siblings, and I feel very proud and happy. I don't usually say this, but today I'm truly proud of myself."

When asked how he felt during the match, he said: "I was very pleased, I came on at the right time and had some good touches. I really enjoyed being on the pitch."

When asked what Potter told him, he replied: "He told me to do what I normally do when I get on the pitch, and that I deserve this opportunity. I'm very grateful to him and for everything he's done for me."

Regarding whether he was emotional with Potter after the match, Sema said: "Actually, it's been emotional all day. Before the match, I was even asked to give a speech. Potter called me in front of the whole team and asked me to say a few words."

"What I said came from the heart, and it worked very well. It felt great. He's been with me throughout my development, and he's the one who gave me the career I have today, so his presence on such an important day in my life means a lot to me."

"Especially because we managed to progress."

When asked what he said in his speech, he stated: "Those things stay in the changing room. But everyone appreciated it. I especially wanted to make my teammates realize where we are now, how far we've come, and how important it is for us to be on the FIFA World Cup stage. I wanted everyone to really feel all of that."

Additionally, Sema explained the content of the notes he received when he came on as a substitute: "They listed the Japanese players I needed to mark during set pieces, because Japan also made some substitutions. So it was very smart tactical preparation."

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