Influence of certain tactical attacking patterns on the result achieved by the teams participants of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa

Abstract

The aim of this study is to compare tactical manifestations of soccer teams, different competitive success, defi ned on the basis of the achieved results in one match at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The teams were divided into 3 groups based on the match results, the tactical analysis included a total of 60 matches of 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The fi rst sub-sample of the subjects (winning) was consisted of the teams that won in the fi nal result, the second sub-sample (draw) were the teams that ended in tied score (no winner), while the third subsample (defeat) consisted of the teams which were defeated in the course of regular 90-minute game. Based on the previously processed data, which were taken from the offi cial website of the International Federation of Association Soccer (www.fi fa.com), the observed parameters refer to the game effi ciency, tactical attacking resource-passing the ball and the ball passing structure. Based on the analysis of the successful attacks frequency, it was revealed that there is a statistically signifi cant difference in the number of successful attacks between the teams that had achieved different results (p = 0.003), in favor of the winning teams. Additionally, the successfulness of attacks, observed through their accuracy, indicates the differences in their distribution (p = 0.000) between the aforesaid groups. The results also indicate that the total run distance, on the level of one team is not associated with the fi nal result. However, ball possession (P = 0.001), overall number of passes (p = 0.015) and overall number of correct passes (P = 0.013) were fi gured as important factors in achieving better results, while the analysis of the effi cacy percentage and the structure of the game that applied passing, i.e., pass length is little or not associated with the fi nal result. The results of this study can help identify those tactical attacking resources in soccer, which contribute to achieving better results.

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“…The results did not demonstrate any difference between teams in wide or short range results regarding the overall passing accuracy. Although literature review supported this finding (Janković et al, 2011a), other studies concluded higher rates for successful teams (Janković et al, 2011b) while other indicated lower rates for successful teams (Balyan, Vural, Çatıkkaş, Yücel, Afacan, & Atik, 2007). One explanation for this conflict came by Bekris and colleagues (2013) who suggested that the level of teams affect this relationship.…”

“…In the 1998,2002,2006,2010 World Cups as well in 2008 Euro Cup the successful teams performed significantly more on-target shots than the less successful teams (Castellano et al, 2012;Grant, Williams, Reilly, & Borrie, 2009;Janković et al, 2011a;Kapidžić et al, 2010;Roxburg 2008). Similarly, in 2005/6 Champions League and Europa League the successful teams performed more ontarget shots than the less successful ones (Zubillaga et al, 2007).…”

“…It has been found that in 1998 and 2010 World Cup as well as in 2009/10 Champions League the successful teams performed greater overall passes and passing accuracy than the less successful ones (Janković et al, 2011a;Szwarc, 2007). Similarly, the qualified teams for that World Cup performed higher number of passes than the non-qualified (Reed, 2004).…”

“…In World Cup of 1990 (Hughes & Franks, 2005), in Euro of 2000 (Hook & Hughes, 2001), as well as in World Cups of 2002/2006/2010 (Castellano, Casamichana, & Lago, 2012) the most successful teams performed higher possession percentage than the less successful ones. Janković and colleagues (2011a) also added that in World Cup of 2010 the winners performed longer possession ratings than losers, while the opponent teams presented similar ratings after draws (Janković, Leontijević, Pašić, & Jelušić, 2011a). Japheth and Hughes (2001) also added that the national team of France performed longer possession percentage than their opponents during Euro of 2000.…”

“…Previous findings suggested that successful teams perform more overall shots than the less successful ones. However the researchers included all the results regardless the score difference (Armatas et al, 2009;Castellano FOTEINI ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ , 2012;Hughes & Franks, 2005;Janković et al, 2011a;Rampinini et al, 2009;Szwarc, 2004). Findings of the current study agree with Bekris and colleagues (2013) who suggested that only the champion differ significantly from the other teams.…”