In the first group game of FIFA Womens World Cup, New Zealand suffered a disappointing loss against the Netherlands. They nearly secured a point but Jill Roord scored in the 90th minute. However, they also came close to scoring and that proved they have the ability to play against the top teams in the world.
For Canada, their first game against Cameroon was a relatively easy one. They managed to take the lead before half-time and their direct style of play always looks threatening. I believe they will continue to play like that in this game as well. This tactical preview uses tactical analysis to show you how the game might play out.
Spaces between the lines in New Zealands defending
The Football Ferns usually defends in a 4-4-2 shape. Sarah Gregorius and Rosie White form the first line. Then, the rest of the midfielders form another line. They did not press high or intensely to disrupt opposition build-up. Moreover, there were huge spaces between the line. If the situation on Saturday is the same, Canadian women could build-up smoothly on the ground.
The below image showed how the Football Ferns defended. A 4-4-2 shape and notice how the space between the lines was huge. The Netherlands left centre-back Dominique Bloodworth was carrying the ball forward while an orange shirt pivot stayed behind Gregorius and White. The positioning would be perfect if the pivot could move to the orange space shown below. This, in turn, could draw the Football Fern’s Katie Bowen or Ria Percival out and New Zealand would lose their defensive shape. If not, the Canadian women should be able to keep the possession without being pressed much.
Overloading the weak side and making far post runs
When the ball progressed to a deeper zone, the Football Ferns tended to step out early to stop the attack. At the same time, their midfielders would also move to the ball to compress spaces. They would also apply pressure at that area. If the attacking team have a lot of players at one of the sides, which created a strong side, then this would attract most of the Football Ferns to that area. As a result, the other side becomes the weak side. In the first group match, the Netherlands used wide players to stretch the pitch. In the final third, that player usually became unmarked due to the defensive approach of New Zealand. If the ball could play to the player lurking at the far post, it would be a huge chance to score.
The below image reflected the loopholes at the far side of New Zealand’s defensive approach. An orange shirt was carrying the ball in the right half-spaces. There were three orange shirts positioning themselves at the right side. To react, the Football Ferns moved to that side to block the pass and compress space. Six white shirts were moving towards that zone. Therefore, the far side became fragile. Two orange shirts against New Zealand right back CJ Bott, as circled below. If the ball could be released to the player on the far side, it would be a huge chance.
