>> [SGWPL] Tactical Analysis: How SAWFC could have prevented the first two goals in LCSWT vs. SAWFC | 15 Sep 2024, 1700hrs, CCK Stadium

By starting Pamela Kong as GK. So simple.

However, SAWFC’s top choice GK was missing from the team sheet on their last, and arguably biggest, game of the season. So here we are, with a short note on how SAWFC could have prevented the inevitable from happening for just a little while longer.

Figure 1 – 8’: SAWFC midfield positioning was too narrow, leaving LCSWT No.8 unmarked.

8’: The first LCSWT goal came about from a quick switch of play from the left half-space to the right corner of the SAWFC penalty area.

LCSWT No.19 Yuvika Suresh passes the ball right to No.23 Sarah Zu’risqha just outside the SAWFC penalty box in the centre. Sarah follows on with another pass to the right to an unmarked No.8 Syazwani. Syazwani lofts the ball towards No.9 Raeka Ee right in front of the six-yard box and Raeka it in for the opener.

In this play, the defensive shape of the SAWFC midfield was not wide enough to cover the run of Syazwani. A traditional midfield four would be spread out zonally to cover a broader horizontal area, with an eye for marauding full-backs making runs down the flanks.

Figure 2 – 34′: LCSWT No.15 runs into space unmarked and lofts a pass over the back line to No.9.

34′: The second LCSWT goal was similar to the first in that it came about via a lofted pass over the back line onto the path of centre-forward No.9 Raeka Ee.

One problem with a 5-4-1 formation is that communication between the midfield and the back line needs to be perfect because the back line will often have an extra friendly player or two not marking an opposition player.

Here, the SAWFC midfield is in a tough spot because the midfield is overloaded in a 3v4 on their right flank. This allowed LCSWT centre-back No.15 to dribble into the half-space unmarked and deliver a pass to Raeka. If the SAWFC midfield shifts to mark No.15, an LCSWT player will be freed up to receive the ball.

Ideally, one SAWFC player from the back line should be free to roam to shadow retreating opposition forwards or advancing defenders. If the formation changes to a 4-4-2, one of the SAWFC forwards can drop back to mark the extra LCSWT player.

Match: LCSWT 6-0 SAWFC | 15 Sep 2024