4) Attempts at goal - FIFA Training Centre

An interesting trend that has emerged during the group stages of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2022™ is that it is taking fewer attempts at goal to score than in the last U-20 World Cup in 2018.

Defences are more organised, compact, and narrow which means teams can get pressure on the ball quicker and there is less space available around the penalty area.

Anja Mittag feels there are different reasons why players shoot from outside the penalty area. She says it is because of a lack of space to play through but also because players have better technique for attempts at goal from longer distances.

The data

A summary of attempt at goal locations throughout the group stage. Overall, teams are averaging 2.3 less attempts per Goal scored when compared to the same stage of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup 2018.

A ranking of attempt at goal locations inside the penalty area versus outside the penalty area

When compared to the data from the group stages of 2018’s tournament in France, it is evident there is an increase in attempts at goal from outside the penalty area and a slight decrease in attempts from inside the area.

Five of the eight teams that advanced to the quarter-finals (France, Nigeria, Mexico, Spain, and Colombia) all recorded more attempts at goal outside the area per 90 mins than inside during the group stages. Despite that, of the 61 goals scored in the 2022 tournament so far, 50 were scored from inside the penalty area.

The first 24 matches of the competition have shown that it takes 9.7 attempts at goal per goal scored. That number is +2.3 more efficient when compared to the group stages in 2018.

Japan combine well around the edge of the penalty area before Yamamoto finishes into the bottom corner.

Nigeria play the ball across the goal area towards the far post, completing the scoring in a 3-1 win vs Canada to top Group C.

Foederer of Netherlands lets fly from distance against the USA.

Nigeria’s Onyenezide finds the far side of the goal brilliantly from range against Korea Republic

Group breakdown

A full breakdown of each team’s attempts at goal during the group stages of the U-20 Women’s World Cup clearly shows each team’s efficiency. France, with 29, have the most attempts at goal from outside the penalty area while Nigeria are the only team to score more than one goal from outside the area; they have scored two goals from outside the penalty area from 28 attempts.

Netherlands, with 4.6 attempts at goal per goal scored were the most efficient team in group stages, followed closely by Spain on 4.8.

Attempt at goal summary from Group A (Scroll to see Group C-D)

Attempt at goal summary from Group B

Attempt at goal summary from Group C

Attempt at goal summary from Group D

Conclusion

With defending teams more compact and sinking into low blocks, attacking teams are taking slightly more attempts at goal from outside the penalty area than in 2018.

However, 50 of the 61 goals scored in the group stages have been scored inside the penalty area, demonstrating that teams who can find attacking solutions to get inside the area have a greater opportunity to score from their attempts at goal.