Germany 2010 - FIFA.com

36 Trends
Trends
Author: April Heinrichs
The FIFA Technical Study Group identifi ed new trends
during the 2010 edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World
Cup. Starting with the attacking tendencies, players
demonstrated a better ability to change directions with and
without the ball, allowing them to advance their attack
with more dynamic play in the attacking half of the fi eld.
Together with this positive and constructive possession,
greater creativity and improvisation in the attack were
observed. Along with the unpredictable nature of teams on
the ball, more teams used quick counter-attacks. The best
example of a quick transition to attack is Nigeria – they fi rst
look to play direct by countering quickly and if that is not
possible they maintain possession of the ball until the next
opportunity for the fi nal pass. Teams with the technical
and tactical skills to hold the ball in order to make time
for team-mates to advance and support the attack created
more consistent chances through their possession and
advanced out of the group stage, as demonstrated by semifi
nalists Germany, Korea Republic, Colombia and Nigeria.
The best example of a balanced attacking style, by virtue
of having the ability to both build the attack (like Colombia
and Korea Republic) and to counter-attack quickly (like
Nigeria), is Germany; this diverse attacking style elevates
them above all other teams and makes them the most
diffi cult team to defend against.
New defensive trends showed teams employing better
defensive tactics and technical skills, as evidenced by the
fact that fewer yellow/red cards were issued and fewer