Influence of quality of opposition in the creation of goal scoring opportunities in women's football
A summary of the article:
The article "Influence of Quality of Opposition in the Creation of Goal Scoring Opportunities in Women’s Football" explores how the quality of opposing teams impacts offensive tactical behavior in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019. The study analyzed 2,045 ball possessions from 14 matches, categorizing the quality of opposition as weak, normal, or strong. It aimed to identify how these different levels of opposition influenced the creation of goal-scoring opportunities. The research found statistically significant differences in various factors, such as possession time, defensive positioning, and spatial context, depending on the quality of the opposing team. Despite these differences, the study also noted that the pattern of creating goal-scoring opportunities remained similar across all opposition levels—teams were most successful when they maintained possession in the opponent’s half and started plays close to the opponent's goal.
The findings suggest that while stronger opponents force teams to adapt their strategies, fundamental offensive principles like quick advancement towards the opponent’s goal and maintaining possession in key areas remain crucial for creating goal-scoring opportunities. This study contributes valuable insights for coaches in understanding how to modify tactics based on the quality of the opposition while maintaining core offensive strategies.
Key Takeaways:
Opponent quality impacts tactical decisions: Teams adjusted their offensive strategies, such as positioning and possession time, depending on the strength of their opponent.
Consistent goal-scoring patterns: Regardless of opponent quality, successful goal-scoring opportunities involved maintaining possession in the opponent's half and starting attacks from advanced positions.
Defensive positioning and spatial context matter: These factors varied significantly with the level of opposition, highlighting the importance of adapting defensive strategies against stronger teams.
Authors: Iván-Baragaño, Iyán; Ardá, Antonio; Losada, José L.; Maneiro, Rubén
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