Crosses

When reflecting on the tournament, it is instantly apparent that players had been working on perfecting the weight of their crosses. When deliveries are played into the box with excessive force, the intended recipient struggles to bring the ball under control, whilst if a cross is hit too softly, the ball is likely to be intercepted by an opposing defender or the goalkeeper. As well as seeking to master the weight of the cross, players also displayed a tendency to skilfully shape the ball for the benefit of the attack. There were examples in which players bent the ball around defenders and into the path of an oncoming team-mate, as well as instances in which crosses were deliberately curled away from the goalkeeper’s reach.

Any attempt to paint a full picture in relation to crossing at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Tokyo 2020 would be incomplete without highlighting the quality of the finishing from those operating in the number-nine role when presented with chances resulting from crosses. Great Britain’s Ellen White, the Netherlands’ Vivianne Miedema and Australia’s Sam Kerr are amongst the strikers who demonstrated exceptional skill in terms of the timing of their runs and ability to direct a cross goalwards with both their head and feet whilst under pressure.

A vast variety of crosses were witnessed during the course of the tournament. Some were airborne deliveries, whilst others were played in across the ground. We saw crosses that were driven to the front post, whilst others were lofted to a runner at the back post. Right-footed players sent inswinging balls from the wide-left channel and left-footed talents delivered inswinging crosses from the wide-right channel. Meanwhile, another popular form of delivery involved wingers and full-backs pinging first-time crosses into the box. When wide players are capable of providing this variety of service for a clinical striker who is waiting to pounce in the box, the opposing defence is tasked with dealing with a host of eventualities that ultimately result in goalscoring opportunities being created.

One type of delivery that proved to be particularly effective and was a regular feature throughout the competition was the cut-back cross. Wide players used all of their pace and skill to reach the opposition’s goal line, before cutting the ball back towards the edge of the penalty area and an onrushing team-mate, who typically unleashed a first-time shot. As the defenders tracked back towards their own goal, with their eyes firmly fixed on the wide player delivering the cross, they were unable to see the runs being made behind them by onrushing attackers. In view of the limitations involved in this body position and the momentum of their recovery run, defenders require time to turn and press the recipient of the cut-back. However, when an accurate and well-weighted cut-back is met by a well-timed run from an attacking player, it is usually too late for the defenders to intervene.