"Observing 9 games 'live' at World Cup Brazil was a great experience! Besides having a great time, I had requested tickets behind the goal so that I could observe the GKs closely, and report trends and tactics used by teams and GKs. With the game being played at a much faster pace and players being more physical--but at the same time more technical--the game is dependent on fast pace ball control and lightning quick decisions and tactical obligations by all players. Due to this, the game becomes more condensed and GKs have to control the space behind the last line of defenders while being ready to receive pass-backs to relieve pressure. This was key in the matches I watched, and of course the GK had to always maintain his positioning and be ready to react if things broke down. I found it increasingly important that the GK was aware of his contribution to team tactics as a playmaker--often initiating or switching the point of attack by playing the ball with his feet. Several times I saw GKs play 60 yard balls accurately in order for their team to maintain possession. I think this led to coaches making some GK selections maybe based more on overall abilities rather than traditional 'old school' shot-stoppers. The position of GK is truly evolving and this 'modern Brazil 2014 GK' is adept at reading the game, making the correct decisions, keeping the ball, and always ready to make saves if necessary to keep his team 'in the game'.
It was interesting to observe the pre-match warm-ups of the GKs. Usually they had 25 minutes of warm-up and the temperatures were 70 degrees or above with high humidity. All of the GKs had various warm-up ritutals and some GKs would only warm-up for 15 to 20 minutes. I thought many of the European GKs (Neuer, Lloris, Cillisen) would do a more intense warm-up which included all movement, diving, shot-stopping, and of course playing the ball with feet and distribution. In these "feet warm-ups" the GKs would start with short to medium range passes and then progress to long passes--usually keeping the ball on the ground. (As you know, Cillisen played most of the Holland matches, but was substituted for Tim Krul in the Penalty Shootout v. Costa Rica--a brilliant substitution as Krul save 2 PKs in the shootout.) Against Argentina, however, Krul could not go in as van Gaal had to use all 3 subs during the match and Krul became unavailable for the PK shootout in that match. Interesting.
So, it was interesting to see a lot of not too-tall GKs who had great footskills play over some of the more traditional tall GKs who we see play every week in the European leagues. Manuel Neuer is the exception to the rule of course as he is 6'4" tall and very agile and athletic and can play extremely well with his feet. I thought the World Cup showed the increasing tactical involvement of the GK in the team and overall tactics that the team was trying to achieve. I think this will obviously be the trend in GKing in the US, however, I think we need to remember that the is only one Manual Neuer.
Not everyone can be Manuel Neuer--but everyone can aspire to play like him."
Thanks very much to Coach Ziggy Zigante, and from all of us here at Reusch USA--Have a Happy and SAFE New Years!
May the ground beneath your dive be soft. May the other team shoot right at you. May your goalposts be 3 feet wide.
Happy New Year!
All the Best--EV