USA 2003: A triumph for physical football 3 October 2003 by FIFAworldcup.com
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China are unquestionably one of the most technically accomplished teams in the women’s game, and Brazil too, with a samba style, briefly set the world stage alight. And, Asian Champions North Korea emerged from isolation to play free-flowing football, pleasing to the eye. Yet all three have been sent home before the semi-final stage, punished for their inability to pack a punch. Silky skills no longer suffice in the women’s game, where the trend is unquestionably towards “men’s style” tactics. This year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup has been a triumph for physical football, a vindication for those sides who have drawn inspiration from the dominant factors in the men’s game – speed, athleticism, height and power.
China’s demise is surely a case in point. Even though the Asians averaged over 60% possession in their four games, carving out far more chances than their opponents, they were let down by their physical weakness and unceremoniously dumped out of the competition.
An evolving playing style
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When push has come to shove at USA 2003, it has been the stronger teams who have come out on top. Germany, the United States and newcomers Canada all employ relatively simple but effective game-plans.
Former China head coach Bob Houghton compiled some statistics at the FIFA World Cup France 1998™ and came up with an interesting insight: over 60% of goals were scored after three passes or less. Such a stat would have been inconceivable in the women’s game a few years ago, when passing was at a premium. Now though, the route to goal has become far more direct. A faster, stronger, more physical style more often associated with men’s football is evidently the way for the women to go.
China paid the price for taking too many touches in front of goal. Sun Wen and Bai Jie were intricate and tricky, but without the blistering long shots of former midfielder Liu Ailing, the Steel Roses were short of firepower.
Long ball game
En route to the last four, the Americans, Canadians and Germans have wasted no time in constructing clever passing moves. Both have preferred to hoist long balls up from the defence and relied on the strength and speed of their forwards to create chances.
United States forward Abby Wambach, who has impressed the world in these finals, is the incarnation of the modern striker. Her no-nonsense, bustling style allied with uncanny ability in the air make her a potent weapon indeed. Cindy Parlow, Birgit Prinz and Christine Sinclair all have football skills to spare, but are typically more imposing physically than their counterparts.
Mind games
China’s demise cannot be solely attributed to their physical shortcomings however. Compared to the supremely confident U.S., or even Japan and North Korea, the Steel Roses looked anxious throughout, visibly frustrated at their inability to get up a head of steam. Had they shown a little more composure in front of goal, all those hard-won chances would surely not have gone to waste.
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Now though, it is time for China and the rest to take stock. They will need to recognize that women’s football is changing if they hope to keep up with the top teams in the world. Of course, for an Asian, African or South American team to focus entirely on the physical side of the game would be a mistake, but the smaller sides need to look at ways of using their technique to counter the European and North American teams more successfully.
And they will need to learn the delicate art of getting stuck in and battling for the right to play. Because no matter how good your technique is, if you are a featherweight fighter stepping into the ring with a heavyweight, you are bound to go down.
