Goalkeeper distribution

With the prevalence of high pressing and high blocking by opponents, goalkeepers are now required to engage in creating more direct play. This entails exceptional accuracy and ball-delivery speed, but not least of all vision linked to speed of thought. At the same time, their initial re-start action comes under microscopic attention from opponents.

The contribution of goalkeepers to build-up play in futsal has always been evident but the data collected from this FIFA Futsal World Cup underlines the importance of developing more rounded and confident goalkeepers who are instrumental in setting up meaningful attacks.

Positioning

Shot-stopping is a key part of the goalkeeper’s role and this tournament was no different in this respect. However, changes in direct-play sequences and their frequency as highlighted previously, along with more lateral (wide) positioning of attacks saw a notable number of high-velocity shots from wide positions. The need for goalkeepers to be well positioned for this threat from out wide should be a priority in goalkeeper development as direct attack becomes more prevalent and will require a shift in goalkeeper training and preparation.

Consistency

Consistency from game to game is a vital quality and here Nicolas Sarmiento (ARG) excelled with calm, composed performances, notably when under pressure from Brazil and also in the first half of the Argentina v Serbia game when his performance was exceptional. By contrast, Bebe (POR) grew through the tournament, making a telling impact in the latter stages and the final specifically. In tournament play, teams rely upon impact players and Bebe showed his stature as he rose to that challenge.

If Sarmiento demonstrated great consistency in his game-winning performances, it was Leo Higuita (KAZ) who, in considering all of the facets required of a custodian, stood out as the ‘complete’ futsal goalkeeper. It is not only for his efforts in Lithuania does he continue to be seen as an example for others to follow, but also over recent years.

Power-play

On a separate, tactical note, the TSG observed how ineffectual goalkeepers were when used in an advanced 5v4 in this tournament. They cited the lack of forward movement, for example, from goalkeepers in a power-play where their role seemed to be more about providing cautionary cover in defence. This observation has a correlation with the danger identified in teams using the power-play that created more risk to conceding, than benefit to scoring when the power-play was deployed at this World Cup. While this may be a tactic to maintain possession it also substantially slows down the game.

Distribution

Overall, goalkeeper distribution, technique and execution were noted as being of vital importance to game outcomes, possibly more so than ever before as the game evolves. Composure in possession when the four-second count was on did not leave goalkeepers looking pressured at this World Cup and the composure in possession at the restart from Sarmiento and Higuita was noteworthy as it exemplified their role in direct attacks and constructing meaningful build-up play.

Technical

Blocking and spreading were ever-present aspects of the goalkeepers’ work across all games. Almost without exception, the goalkeepers’ role at set-plays was also of primary significance. Some innovation in and out of the possession structure was clear to see with Portugal and Bebe in particular who showed a new approach to defensive walls when releasing a wall block imminently prior to a strike to ensure a clear view of the ball. The TSG recognised this as innovation and development.

Had Vietnam progressed further then Van Y would almost certainly have been in contention for the tournament’s Golden Glove as he showed maturity beyond his years in both shot-stopping and his overall composure. The TSG expect that he will be one to watch among the next generations of futsal talents.

Communication

An important but often unrecognised aspect of the GK’s involvement with his outfield colleagues is verbal communication. The TSG considered the importance of goalkeepers’ verbal communication skills in team organisation and this was particularly evident with those sides who dominated. For Portugal, Bebe was notably verbal in defensive direction at set-plays to ensure that defensive positioning was correct. The same could be said of Higuita who was communicative with his outfield four throughout Kazakhstan’s matches and particularly when re-positioning the four to create numerical superiority in zones 2 and 3.

Concentration

This requires a high level of mental and physical concentration during play and it is worth bearing in mind that amid the variety of player rotations, often the goalkeeper will remain the number one choice for the entire 40 minutes. The TSG stress however that this is more likely at the elite national team level than in grassroots development. Information, when dispensed in the heat of the action, needs to be concise and directional although it is easy for the goalkeeper to slip into constantly talking but saying very little!

The role of the goalkeeper in those teams who opted to overload 5v4 was less impactful when the power-play was deployed, although neither provided the particularly positive outcomes that might be expected from a numerical superiority. The cover presented by the goalkeeper remains too precautionary a measure to substantially impact on overload; that creates less player movement and thus can be ineffective, except in the case of those goalkeepers with exceptional shooting ability, such as Higuita. These examples are rare though, and overall the TSG did not see enough collective movement to underpin the value of the goalkeepers’ role in a power-play. 

There is compelling evidence from this World Cup of the assets required of the best futsal goalkeepers and these must be developed in the next generations. Importantly for football, there are assets that are transferable to the 11-a-side game and more focus should be given to determining the transferable qualities which can support the wider game.

Another talking point for the TSG was the significance of body blocking. To a degree this is determined by geography as the approach to standing up as a goalkeeper varies between continents. Each approach can be effective but Guitta and Higuita belong to the category of keepers who are intent on standing up as long as possible and advancing down the line of the ball to narrow the angles to goal with great effect.

A goalkeeper’s distribution does not simply mean a long pass or a long throw. Another aspect is the ability to recognise opportunities within zone 1 to facilitate playing out from the back or when faced by a high block and high press. These actions require patience and vision both in terms of long and short-play options. It entails the ability to scan the pitch and player movement in the space of seconds – a vital ability to set off play and maximise opportunity while retaining a sense of caution so as not to simply surrender possession.

Much has been said in recent times about goalkeepers’ outfield responsibilities in terms of ball possession and passing while contributing to the outfield four as the fifth player.

At this World Cup we looked purposely at these factors yet became mindful of the 'perception’ of contribution in certain instances rather than the 'actual' contribution. In taking Higuita of Kazakhstan as one example, here is a player famed for his outfield play and for joining the four high up the court and we considered his contribution. Across all seven games he played in, Higuita played the ball 99 times inside the opposition half and this resulted in either he or his team-mates taking a shot on 48 occasions – in short, just under 50% of the times he ventured forward. At the same time, just one goal was scored from these 99 passages of play, which is a key detail to consider when we look to value that contribution.

Of course that may be a strategy deployed to retain ball possession and deny the opponent, though there may equally be a deliberate objective to score more goals. The evidence of the latter is far from overwhelming from a team who scored 24 goals in general play and relied heavily on Douglas (4) and Taynan (6) to score.

If Higuita’s advances and the overall success of his team place him – in some eyes – at the forefront of a trend, the TSG were less convinced about the game-changing impact of this approach, given the data presented.