In the first U-15 World Cup in Baku, FIFA tested unlimited replacements, side kicks with legs, and a new rule of off-play position to make the game faster, and young football players have more contact with the ball.
World Cup and First Festival FIFA U-15 was held in Baku last month, with 189 participating teams from all six confederations: UEFA, CAF, AFC, COCACAF, COMEBOL and OFC.
The title of the championship was won by Spain, which defeated the Czech Republic 3-0 in the final. The goals for the Spanish team were marked by Tiago Polo, Bruno Fernandez and Adrian Bielsa.
The weeklong tour brought in many goals: 4,505 goals were scored in 932 matches, or an average of 4.83 per match.
FIFA wanted offensive and fast football, so three experimental rules were introduced on the tour.
Intensive Replacements and Free Strikes
First, this enabled an unlimited number of replacements instead of five that were previously so that more players could play the game, and the trainers could take turns on the team and take care of the physical situation.
Second, the side reconstruction was replaced by a kick, to make the game faster and more fluent, and to give players more contact with the ball and opportunities for technical improvements.
Game-out position only in the last 14 meters
The rule of position outside the game was also changed: a player could be punished for an out-of-play position only when he entered a specially marked attack zone, limited by a 14m line from the opposing gate.
Unger: Talent is everywhere
The changes were explained before the first match by former Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger, who is head of global football development at FIFA.
At this age, the most important thing is to play. The new players need serious games, different opponents and different football experiences to advance, Wenger said at first.
The talent is everywhere, but the opportunities new players have are not always the same. This tour gives players worldwide the opportunity to compete, learn, and grow.
To give a chance every talent means to help the promising players find, train and enable them to play in order to achieve their full potential, Wenger concluded. /Telegraphy/