6) Defensive events in the recovery and low block phases - FIFA Training Centre

While out-of-possession topics will be explored further in our post-tournament technical report, one aspect of defending that has caught the eye of our Technical Study Group during the group stages of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2022™ is defensive events in the recovery and low block phases.

Defensive events are actions performed by defending players to disrupt the possession of the attacking player. Mónica Vergara discusses what has impressed her in relation to defensive events in low block; Colombia get a special mention as they have been especially effective at generating strong counter-attacks from successful regains.

Defensive actions - in recovery phase

In the opening 24 games of the tournament, Brazil have performed the most defensive actions in recovery phase with 5.8 per 90 mins. This demonstrates a strong willingness in their team to defend with conviction in order to protect their goal.

They and Spain are the only two teams that have yet to concede a goal in the competition. It is therefore no suprise that two Brazilian defenders, (5) Cris and (3) Tarciane, are in the top ten for defensive actions in recovery, making 2.4 per 90 minutes and 1.4 per 90 minutes respectively. Costa Rica's (4) Keilyn Chavarria recorded the most of any player during the group stages with 3.5 per 90 minutes.

Brazil top the ranking for defensive actions performed per 90 minutes whilst in the recovery phase of play.

The top ten players for defensive actions performed per 90 minutes whilst in the recovery phase of play.

Defensive actions – low block

As noted by our TSG, defensive actions in low block is another emerging theme following the group stages of the tournament. And as highlighted by Mónica Vergara earlier, Colombia have performed strongly in this area, using their platform of winning the ball back in low areas to execute powerful and fast counter-attacks.

Colombia top the ranking for defensive actions performed per 90 minutes whilst in the low block phase of play

The top 10 players for defensive actions performed per 90 minutes whilst in the low block phase of play

Colombia are the number one ranked team with 20.4 defensive actions in low block per 90 mins while three Colombian players, (13) Guzman, (8) Reyes and (19) Minota, feauture in the top six for defensive actions made in low block.

In addition to Colombia, and despite favouring different styles of play, fellow quarter-finalists, Spain, Netherlands, Brazil and Mexico are also ranked in the tournament's top ten teams for defensive actions in low block.

Player of the Match winner Vicki Becho tracks the run of the opponent to recover and performs a sliding tackle.

After losing possession of the ball in the attacking third, nine of the ten Mexico outfield players recover quickly to defend their penalty area.

Emily Mason of the USA performs two consecutive blocks to help prevent a Japan goal.