Receiving between the lines against a low block

Breaking down a low block in central areas can be a challenge and often requires patience and creativity. Space between the lines of the opposition’s defence is often tight and difficult to find, so it is important to have players who can operate effectively in this territory.

In the first round of fixtures at FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023™, one player in particular caught the eye of our Technical Study Group in this regard, and secured a Player of the Match award in the process. In England’s 10-0 victory over New Caledonia, Sam Amo-Ameyaw (10) was particularly effective in between the lines, receiving the ball in between the opposition defensive and midfield units no fewer than 32 times (more often than any other player).

Against a New Caledonia team that spent 57% of its out-of-possession time in a low block, Amo-Ameyaw’s crucial role in his side’s attacking play is also demonstrated by the fact he received the ball more times than another player (46) while the Pacific Islanders were in this low-block formation. The Southampton midfielder also offered for the ball between the opposition lines 41 times (again, more often than another other player on the pitch) and was an effective presence in the final third.

England’s (10) Sam Amo-Ameyaw was very effective at receiving the ball against a low block

Sam Ayo-Ameyaw received the ball 46 times in England's game against New Caledonia.

According to Gemma Grainger, Amo-Ameyaw’s appetite and ability to make himself available between the lines was an important factor in England’s dominant victory:

“This player has excellent technical ability and he worked very hard to get himself free in the space between New Caledonia’s defensive and midfield lines,” she said. “He was consistently scanning the pitch and had great awareness of where he was in relation to the nearest defenders. He wanted the ball all the time and this was evident in his body language. He was always involved, [he wasn’t just] wanting the ball, but he offered to receive, received, and then moved to make himself available again.”

A statistical analysis of the match underlines Amo-Ameyaw’s impressive technical skills. He successfully received the ball under direct pressure more than any other player, doing so seven times. Once he had the ball under control, he was accurate with his distribution in the final third, too, completing 45 of 48 attempted passes in this area of the pitch. He also took more shots at goal than anyone else with nine, one of which put England 5-0 up after 50 minutes.

The clips below show exactly how Amo-Ameyaw used his technical ability to play effectively between the lines. As Grainger explained, “He was willing to take risks in the final third and wanted to play forward at every opportunity. He used his body very well to receive in tight areas and once he had the ball, he could manoeuvre and play forward helping his team to break lines. Using varied receiving techniques to keep control of the ball in tight spaces, he used different parts of his feet to execute a variety of different types of passes and dribbling moments, depending on the situation.”

All in all, this was an excellent individual performance that helped England’s youngsters make the best possible start to their World Cup campaign.