Monday 23 January 2017, 09:50

Technical Study Group publishes report on Papua New Guinea 2016

The Technical Study Group (TSG) has published its report on the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Papua New Guinea 2016. Using the slogan "To inspire, to excel", the eighth edition of the tournament was staged across four stadiums in the capital city of Port Moresby. The 32 matches clearly demonstrated that the quality of play and the technical progress made by the 16 participating teams over the last few years has improved considerably. A total of 113 goals were scored at the competition, equating to an average of 3.53 per game, and equalling the record set at Chile 2008.

Just a few weeks after Korea DPR lifted the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup crown in Jordan, they followed it up with success in the U-20 age category, too. Not only did the Asians finish as top scorers at the tournament with 21 goals, they also boasted nine different scorers. "Team work is a key factor in being successful and a central indicator for a team's playing quality," stated the TSG in its report.

"In this regard, Japan, Korea DPR, France and Germany were outstanding. They all performed with great team unity in defence, attack and in transitional play. Perhaps the biggest, and often the most decisive advantage exhibited by the world's best U-20 women's teams at this tournament compared to their challengers was a clearer and more defined unity as a team."

Other factors that stood out in Papua New Guinea were "the significant role of set-pieces (which led to goals in seven of the eight knockout fixtures); the greater versatility, flexibility and on-field maturity of young players; the constant development of the full-back position; and the increasing use of quick, decisive and well-organised transitions as an effective attacking weapon."

The U-20 Women's World Cup 2016 was not only an important event in sporting terms for FIFA and the host nation; it also triggered positive changes in regard to women's roles in society in this area of the world. Football offered the perfect platform for diverse social programs, such as the #ENDviolence initiative that campaigned against the use of violence towards women and children in ten Pacific States.

You can find the full TSG report on the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup 2016 on FIFA.comhere or in the related items.

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