Learning platform
en 
Host nation Colombia topped Group A with three wins from three games in front of sell-out crowds in the cities of Bogotá and Medellín. Mexico finished second on four points with goal difference putting them ahead of Cameroon who qualified as one of the best third-placed teams.
According to Heather O’Reilly, “With the home nation in this group, teams were playing in front of very large crowds, and this was possibly a new experience for many of these young players, but a valuable experience in their development. The games in this group were very competitive for long spells, with small margins ultimately deciding them, so Australia can take important learnings from their games.”
Colombia
In possession
Captain Linda Caicedo (18) is an important player in this team and was very effective when playing off the left wing, but she also featured in the centre-forward position for spells. Gabriela Rodríguez (10) is a key player as they look to link their play from midfield to the forward line and, as a team, they can vary their in-possession approaches, demonstrating their ability to build through the thirds and go direct.
Out of possession
Colombia work hard when they do not have the ball, mostly pressing from a mid-block in a 1-4-1-4-1 shape. The player in the lone centre-forward position generally initiated the press while their central and deep-lying midfielders were effective at breaking up play. The big support from the home crowds fuelled Colombia’s aggression and energy, making it a disruptive experience for their opponents.
Mexico
In possession
Mexico are a technical team and have players that enjoy initiating attacks by running with the ball to break lines. Midfielder Alice Soto (10) is very good with the ball at her feet, and she often looked to penetrate by dribbling forward. The Mexico players combined nicely demonstrating their ability to play neat passing patterns and progress the ball to the wide areas where they could bring left-winger Monserrat Saldívar (19) into the game.
Out of possession
Mexico are committed to working together when defending and were effective at getting early pressure on the ball. They defend in groups, ensuring no player is left isolated which makes it difficult for opposition teams to maintain or progress possession. They showed real desire to win the ball back quickly, competing well in tackles and duels. In situations where they faced players more developed in their physicality, Mexico compensated by defending in numbers and with real intensity.
Cameroon
In possession
In the build-up from their goalkeeper, Cameroon often played the first pass short and the next one long as they looked to find Naomi Eto (10) early. She is a key player in this team and with her strong aerial ability, she can bring other players into the game from long passes from the back. When in the wide areas, Cameroon are effective at crossing the ball and won set play opportunities in the final third when Mana Lamine (7) was fouled while running with the ball. Once approaching, or in the final third, they play with exceptional intensity.
Out of possession
With real commitment and aggression from their players, Cameroon often employed an abrasive man-to-man marking system which proved very effective. The physicality and intensity in their defending made it very difficult for opposition teams to control the ball and build established patterns, with defensive midfielder, Monique Ngock (14), proving to be a key player in their ability to break up the opposition’s play. When Cameroon win the ball back, they counterattack at speed. However, this approach can be difficult to sustain for the full game due to the physical demands of this playing style.
Australia
In possession
Despite being a committed and hard-working team, Australia, at times, struggled to generate width in their play while their two wide forwards (when playing with a 1-4-4-2 diamond midfield) occasionally got isolated in the final third. While they did not score a goal in the tournament, they generated some positive attacking phases, and their players will grow from this experience.
Out of possession
Australia’s wide forwards, Kahli Johnson (11) and Tanaye Morris (20), worked very hard out of possession, initiating the team’s pressing phases. Their defenders were very effective at defending on the front foot, stepping out of the backline with good aggression to win the ball back from opposition forwards when they dropped in to receive. Their midfielders also demonstrated a willingness to tackle hard for the ball but when they won it back, lost it again too quickly on numerous occasions.
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