With the U17 World Cup having just concluded with Portugal's 1-0 victory over Austria, FIFA's Technical Study Group has taken stock. Having observed a surge in direct long throw-ins, the specialists noted the effectiveness of runs down the inner channels in creating dangerous situations. These runs into the space between the full-back and his nearest center-back offer the dual advantage of receiving the ball behind the opposing defensive line while remaining within the team's structure. During the first 96 matches of the tournament, no fewer than 24 goals were scored after such a run. Compared to 2023, this number has increased significantly. For former winger and FIFA expert Damien Duff, this type of run is formidable because of the confusion and disarray it creates in the opposing defensive structure: “This movement changes the balance of power and leaves defenders uncertain about who to follow, especially if the nearest defenders are already marking other attackers. Many goals at the highest level begin with this type of run,” concludes the former Irish international. Duff reminds us that, to pull it off successfully, “timing is crucial: the run must be neither too early (offside) nor too late, otherwise the pass will be intercepted, and it must be made on the blind side (out of the defender's vision) or the opposite side to surprise the opponent. Finally, the execution of the pass must be precise to allow the player to receive the ball at full speed and on the correct foot to create danger.”
During the U17 World Cup (here, the Portugal-Austria final), FIFA experts observed the effectiveness of runs down the inside channels in creating dangerous situations / ©Icon Sport