COMPARATIVE STUDY
2001 World Cup Youth (U-20)
Argentina, July 5 - 9, 2001

GOAL:        The present study's dual goal is, on one hand, to evaluate and diagnose the semi-finals and final of the World Cup Youth U-20 while identifying the most significant aspects of the new concept of performance for the generation of players preparing for the past decade.  On the other hand, however, this study is focusing on the understanding and implementation of the champions' game strategies and tactics.

FOUNDATION: The TOTAL FOOTBALL VISION is at the core of this study, expressed at the intersection of:

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Football as an ART - creatively defined by the most gifted players with innate talent-mind abilities complemented by special physical capacities

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Football as a SCIENCE - given by the very gestalt of the team through its preparation, playing and recovery systems.

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Football as BUSINESS - brought forth by the ongoing need to support and ensure consistency of the competition level and technical preparation on local and international levels.

The present study will begin with a quick look at the the four teams involved in the top levels of the competition, analyzed from the perspective of the game's main factors of performance.

Factors of Performance Argentina Ghana Egypt Paraguay Total
Player Game IQ          
Talent and abilities to play 10 8 9 9 36
Temperament and energy to play 10 9 9 8 36
Character and competitiveness 10 8 9 8 35
Player Game IQ - TOTAL POINTS 30 25 27 25 107
Player Football Personality Argentina Ghana Egypt Paraguay Total
Intelligence/creativity 10 8 9 9 36
Physical development and capacity 10 10 10 9 39
Creative skills in game situations 10 8 9 9 36
Player Football Personality TOTAL POINTS 30 26 28 27 111
Groups and Team Tactics Argentina Ghana Egypt Paraguay Total
2-6 playing groups of players 10 8 9 9 36
11-team playing principles 10 8 9 8 35
11 vs. 11 game situation 10 8 9 8 35
Groups and Team Tactics TOTAL POINTS 30 24 27 25 106
Game Strategies Argentina Ghana Egypt Paraguay Total
When score is equal 10 9 9 9 37
When opponent leads 10 7 9 8 34
When own team leads 10 8 9 8 35
Game Strategies TOTAL POINTS 30 24 27 25 106
Team Concept of Performance Argentina Ghana Egypt Paraguay Total
Playing in attack 10 8 9 7 34
Playing in defense 10 8 9 7 34
Playing at set plays 9 8 8 8 33
Team Concept of Performance TOTAL POINTS 29 24 26 22 101
Miscellaneous Factors Argentina Ghana Egypt Paraguay Total
Referee interaction 10 10 10 10 40
Stars and superstars' contribution 10 8 9 8 35
National concept of performance 10 8 9 8 35
Miscellaneous Factors TOTAL POINTS 30 26 28 26 110
           
TOTAL POINTS PER TEAM 179 149 163 150

 

Looking further into the game factors for each team's performance, the Argentineans excelled in all game factors: game IQ, personality, group and team tactics, strategies, concept of performance as well as overall performance (charts reflects data of table posted above).

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