The role of the number 9

The performances of Mana Iwabuchi, Ellen White, Stina Blackstenius, Sam Kerr and Vivianne Miedema all elevated the status of the number 9 – and the women’s game as a whole – in revolutionary ways. The mould of striker encountered in previous eras of women’s football was generally one-dimensional, with height and a flair for finishing her key attributes. In Japan, the aforementioned quintet showed the world that this more traditional profile is just one of the many effective and eye-catching ways to lead the frontline.

One positional number 9 who simply could not be any further removed from the one-dimensional striker of days gone by is Japan’s Iwabuchi. At 5’1”, she may not be renowned for her aerial prowess, but her technical ability and game intelligence are second to none. When her team were in the build-up phase, the 28-year-old operated in the pocket of space between the opposition’s midfield and defensive lines, where her positional awareness and ability to play with her back to pressure helped the Nadeshikoto progress into the final third. However, manoeuvring her way through tight spaces inside the opposition’s box is where Iwabuchi truly comes into her own, with her quick feet, deft touch and ability to turn on a sixpence allowing her to slalom past defenders with ease.

Great Britain’s White demonstrated that she has perfected the art of converting crosses, with four of her six-goal haul the result of deliveries into the box. As a high-percentage finisher, if White is provided with adequate service, she possesses the clinical edge to find the net on a consistent basis. Despite Great Britain bowing out in the quarter-finals, White finished joint-second in the tournament goal charts and signed off in style with a hat-trick in the seven-goal thriller against Australia.

In Sweden’s journey to securing silver, Blackstenius was another sharpshooter who once again showcased her world-class pedigree. The Swede’s athleticism and pace allowed her to penetrate the opposition’s backline and latch on to through-balls from her midfield. The 25-year-old also linked up well with her team-mates in the middle third and at times acted as the all-important conduit between midfield and attack. Above all, Blackstenius continues to exemplify elite finishing skills, ending the tournament with an impressive five goals, including the opener in the gold-medal showdown.

Kerr’s pace and courage complement her natural goalscoring instincts to make her one of the most prolific number 9s in the female game. These attributes proved integral as Australia made it all the way to the tournament semi-finals. Despite often being one of the shortest players in the attacking third, Kerr represented the focal point for an Australian build-up game that was based on picking her out in the box. Once she received the ball in these areas, her ability in tight spaces and mastery of one- and two-touch finishes made her almost impossible to defend against

Throughout the tournament, Miedema continued to show exactly why she represents the epitome of a multidimensional striker. She once again confirmed her ability to contribute to the build-up play in a variety of ways and score goals in different situations. The quality of the many facets to her game provided her team with a range of playing options. Miedema was in devastating form in 1v1 situations, but at times also played with her back to pressure before turning and getting a shot off. She was equally impressive when running in behind to receive through-balls and providing the finishing touch to counter-attacks, whilst also exhibiting her immense aerial and acrobatic abilities. The diversity of her game makes her a true pioneer on the women’s football scene.