Women's football Tokyo 2020 Olympic semi final Previews: USWNT-Canada and Australia-Sweden

Two seismic semi finals await in the women's football competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The USWNT face Canada and Australia take on Sweden as the gold medal game awaits on Friday 6 August.

Between them the four teams in the semi finals scored 17 goals in the quarter finals including penalties on a fab Friday of goals, tears, drama, and history in the making.

Get ready for a magic Monday on 2 August as some of the biggest names in the game go head-to-head for the greatest honour in women's football.

Read on for a preview, when to watch, how to watch and who to watch.

USA - Canada: Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan vs. Christine Sinclair, Stephanie Labbé

The USWNT scraped past Vivianne Miedema and Netherlands on penalties to set up a semi final clash with neighbours Canada on Monday.

Megan Rapinoe scored the penalty that punched the USA's ticket to the final four, but the hero on the night was goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher who saved two penalties.

Far from convincing in the group games, the World No.1 came in for a cascade of criticism when they lost their Olympic opener 3-0 to a sizzling Sweden.

They bounced back well and dismantled New Zealand 6-1 before a 0-0 against Australia secured them second spot in the group.

There's no doubt that the world is catching up with the pioneering women's United States Women's National Team soccer stars who have won four World Cups and four Olympic gold medals and Canada could make it a miserable Monday for stateside football fans.

But with the talent and experience of hardened campaigners like Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Julie Ertz, Tobin Heath, and big-game player Rose Lavelle, Tokyo could well be a golden goodbye for some of the old guard.

Unbeaten Canada's defensive wall

Unlike the U.S., Canada haven't lost a single game at Tokyo 2020 after respectable draws against Japan and Team GB in the group stage and that all-important win over Chile.

In the quarter final the Canadians held Marta's heavily-favoured Brazil, this time to 0-0 and goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé was the hero, making the crucial save on on Brazil's Rafaelle.

Canada have only conceded three goals on their way to the semi-finals and expect them to try and frustrate the Stars and Stripes' star-studded attack too.

Like a few players on the U.S. squad, this may be veteran striker Christine Sinclair's final chance to add Olympic gold to her CV and she proved she's still a threat with that crucial strike against Japan in their opening game.

But she isn't the only threat: Janine Beckie scored two against Chile and Adriana Leon got the leveller against Great Britain.

While Canada has built their team on the bedrock of a solid defence and a tight unit, they still pack a punch up front.

This is repeat of the the 2012 London Games semi finals where the two countries also met, the U.S. going through to the final with a late winner that the Canadians still contest.

The two teams last met in the SheBelieves Cup back in February in Orlando, Fla. The U.S. won the match 1-0.

Canada are bronze medallists from London 2012 and Rio 2016 and how they would love a shot at gold by getting one over the noisy neighbours to the south.

Australia-Sweden: Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler vs. Blackstenius-Jakobsson-Rolfo trio

Beaten finalists at Rio 2016, Sweden are hoping to go one better in Tokyo, while for Australia making the finals is already a historic achievement, no Aussie football team of any gender has made it this far at a major tournament.

Sweden have played their way to becoming favourites for gold for many watchers, they've been steamrolling teams since they arrived in Tokyo.

A spectacular 3-0 win stunned World No.1 USA in their first game, then they beat their semi final opponents Australia 4-2 and finished off the group with a convincing 2-0 victory.

A 3-1 win over hosts Japan in Saitama in the quarter finals was yet another convincing performance and 12 goals in 4 games proved what a potent force they are.

And while their free-scoring front three of Stine Blackstenius, Sofia Jakobsson, and Fidolina Rolfo have been getting much deserved credit, they are a solid side throughout the team.

Magdalena Eriksson is Chelsea's stalwart centre-back and alongside Hanna Glas, Jonna Andersson, and Amanda Ilstedt they have conceded just five goals in their last 13 matches, including 10 clean sheets.

In front of them the midfield works incredibly hard to win the ball and harry the opposition: Seger, Angeldal, Rolfo, Asllani, Jakobsson form probably the best press at the Games, and they were the reason why the USA simply could not keep possession in Game 1.

The way Jakobsson drops wide to feed Blackstenius and the fluidity in the front three matched with the solidity at the back has given Sweden a 100 percent record at Tokyo 2020 so far.

Can Australia stop the Swedish avalanche?

Australian hopes rest on Captain Kerr and next gen stars

The Matildas are loving the ride and playing some scintillating footie.

Led by captain and history-maker Sam Kerr alongside teen revelation Mary Fowler, and 23-year-old stopper Teagan Micah, Australia have gone further than any Australian football team before them.

A nail-biting 4-3 quarter final victory over Great Britain had it all, including a penalty save by Micah, a spectacular extra-time strike by Fowler, and yet another assured Kerr strike to keep the team alive.

Alanna Kennedy was solid in defence coming up with big blocks and Hayley Raso carried the ball confidently.

"I can't explain how proud I am to be a part of this team and to lead this team out. Every day they surprise me, " Kerr said after the breath-taking finale.

"We've got kids out there, we've got Mary [Fowler] who is 18 and I'm just so proud of everyone."

"We feel the love from home and we're doing everything we can to make you proud. I hope you all felt it today, so let's go the mighty Aussies."

When and what time are the women's Olympic semi finals?

When is the USA-Canada women's football Tokyo 2020 Olympic semi final?

The USA plays Canada in the semi final on Monday 2 August at 5pm JST (4am E.T. in the U.S., which is also 4am in Canadian time ON).

When is the Australia-Sweden women's football Tokyo 2020 Olympic semi final?

Australia and Sweden kicks off three hours later at 8pm JST on Monday 2 August (9pm ACT in Australia, 1pm in Sweden).