Analysis of goal scoring prototype in the 2014/15 final qualifying competition to premiere entrance in Ethiopia

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2016; 3(3): 17-22 P-ISSN: 2394-1685 E-ISSN: 2394-1693 Impact Factor (ISRA): 4.69 IJPESH 2016; 3(3): 17-22 2016 IJPESH www.kheljournal.com Received: 19-03-2016 Accepted: 21-04-2016 Bewketu Chekol MSc in Football Coaching Lecturer Bahirdar University Bahirdar Ethiopia Analysis of goal scoring prototype in the 2014/15 final qualifying competition to premiere entrance in Ethiopia Bewketu Chekol Abstract The purpose of the present study was to investigate the factors associated with goal scoring in lower label football matches. 38 goals analyzed from 20 matches from the final qualifying competition to premiere iterance in Ethiopia. The Sport Scout performance analysis tool was used to time code when goal scored and the associated behaviors relating to goal scoring. It was presented that 57.9% of the goals were scored in the second half and most of them in the last 15-min period, while the first goal seems to play an important role in the final result of the match. Most goals were scored during open play (72.4%) but 27.6% scored after a set play, mainly following corner kick and free kick. Concerning initiation zone of the attack, it was presented that 56.6% began from the attacking half. Most goals were scored after a cross (43.7%) while regarding goal scoring area; over 90% of goals were scored inside the penalty area and specifically from the area between penalty spot and goal zone (42.1%). Finally, almost ½ of goals were scored without any pressure from defenders. Conclusions: The present study presented guidelines to coaches in order to design trainings similar to the actual competition and adapt the game style with regard to match status. Moreover, coaches can use this information to establish objectives for players and teams with a special reference to the offensive or defensive play. Keywords: Qualifying competition, premier entrance, performance analysis. Correspondence Bewketu Chekol MSc in Football Coaching Lecturer Bahirdar University Bahirdar Ethiopia 1. Introduction As cited by Michalis Mitrotasios & Vasilis Armatas (2014), Match analysis is the objective recording and examination of behavioral events that occur during competition (Carling, C., Williams, A., & Reilly, T. 2005) [9]. The main aim of match analysis is to identify strengths of one s own team, which can then be further developed, and its weaknesses, which suggest areas for improvement. Similarly, a coach analyzing the performance of an opposition side will use the data to identify ways to counter that team s strengths and exploit its weaknesses Carling, C., Reilly, T., & Williams, A. (2009) [8]. A performance indicator has been described as a selection, or combination, of action variables that aims to define some or all aspects of a performance (19). These indicators constitute an ideal profile that should be present in the athletic activity to achieve success and can be used as a way to predict the future behavior of sporting activity Jones, P., James, N., & Mellalieu, S. (2004) [20]. However, what might be classified as a good performance in football, such as a high proportion of possession, a higher number of goal-scoring opportunities, shots on target or corners, does not always relate to success. A football team can be successful and win a game or competition, despite performing suboptimal Wright, C., Atkins, S., Polman, R., Jones, B., & Lee S. (2011) [36]. At all competitive levels, the main concern is simply to score at least one more goal than the opponent while in some tournament settings, goal differential may influence attacking philosophy. A single goal can change radically, and for a considerable amount of time, the strategic environment in which teams interact Palomino, F., Rigotti, L., & Rustichini A. (2000) [30]. Consequently, the most identified components of the performance in football matches are the scored goals. An analysis of how goals are scored can reveal critical factors that will help to determine the most appropriate attacking strategy, briefly to obtain winning formula. ~ 17 ~

Since the landmark work of Reep and Benjamin Reep, C., & Benjamin, B. (1968) [31], many studies have focused on goal scoring patterns in various national and international football tournaments. Reep and Benjamin Reep, C., & Benjamin, B. (1968) [31] showed that approximately 80% of goals scored were the result of a short sequence of three or less passes and that 1 in 10 shots tend to lead to a goal. More recently, Hughes and Franks (2005) [18] showed that in the 1990 and 1994 World Cup tournaments 84% and 80% of goals respectively came from possessions of four or less passes. In addition, 80% and 77% of the shots at goal were a result of a sequence of four or less passes. Jinshan and co-workers Jinshan, X., Xiakone, C., Yamanaka, K., & Matsumoto, M. (1993) [22] reported on the characteristics of goals from the 14th World Cup and showed that nearly 70% of all goals were scored in the 2nd half. Armatas, Yiannakos and Sileloglou (2007) [4] studied three World Cups (1998, 2002 and 2006) and reported that more goals were scored as time progresses, however lower percentages than Jishan et al. (1993) [22]. Moreover, many studies have pointed out the influence in the final score of an early goal or the first goal in a match. Bangsbo and Peitersen (2000) [5] point out the magnitude of set plays in modern football and reported that twenty are estimated to appear, in average, for each team in every match. Many studies from international and domestic tournaments have reported that about 25%-40% of all goals have been scored on set plays (Armatas, V., & Yiannakos, A. (2010), Jinshan, X., Xiakone, C., Yamanaka, K., & Matsumoto, M. (1993), Lago, C., & Martin, R. (2007) [1, 22]. Other research has examined the position on the pitch from which goals are scored. In a recent study Wright et al. (2011) [36] showed that from 167 goals from English Premier League, 87% of goals were scored inside the penalty area which is similar to the 90% observed by Olsen (1988) [28] for the 1986 World Cup whereas Du four (1993) reported 80% for the 1990 World Cup. Yiannakos and Armatas (2006) [37] reported that 44.4% of goals scored were inside the penalty area, 35.2% inside the goal area, and 20.4% outside the penalty area, for the 2004 European Championship in Portugal. Finally, Hughes et al. (1988) [19] showed that successful teams in the 1986 Football World Cup made more attempts inside the penalty area in comparison to unsuccessful teams. Usually, after international tournaments, such as the European Championship, successful teams set new trends in terms of playing style and training. Indeed, others will tend to imitate the tactics and play of winning teams, seeking to master those aspects of performance which are deemed to underlie their success Hughes, M., & Franks, I. (2005) [18]. Literatures in our country are in scarce. So the study needs to use the other countries and other leagues trend as a review of related literatures. Because of football at any country shares the same performance majors regardless of the athlete s technical, tactical and fitness differences, the researchers use literatures and research results as a research setting. The Final qualifying competition to super league entrance football matches in Ethiopia provides an opportunity to examine the best teams and players in the Ethiopian National league. Thus the purpose of the present study was to analyze the goals scored in the final qualifying competition to super league entrance football matches. 2. Purpose of the Study In any soccer competition team s performance can be determined in a variety of ways. The major and the most ~ 18 ~ widely used ways of determining teams performance is number of goal score and the patterns how goal can be scored. In this study time of goal score, influence in the final score of the first goal, type of play while scoring goal, style of play while scoring goal, type of set play while scoring goal, initiation zone of the attack while scoring goal, number of passes leading up to goal, type of feed prior to goal scored, actions leading up to goal (One touch, Control+shot, Control+dribble+shot), shot type (Instep shot, Inside of the foot, Header, Other) scorer s playing position (Striker, Winger, Midfielder, Defender)and goal zone (a1, a2, a3, b1, b2, b3, c1, c2, c3) can be clearly studied. The result can be used for athletes, coaches, sport science professionals and soccer community members to use the information in order to improve their team s performance. Athletes especially strikers will know how teams can score more goals than their opponents. The aim of the intended study was to investigate the factors associated with goal scoring in final qualifying competition to super league entrance football matches. This competition is expected to going on in the end of the competition year. Teams are from all over the country and the representative of the champions of the Ethiopian national league soccer competition. The national league competition is divided in to more than six districts. Two or three best teams are expected from each division for final qualifying competition to super league entrance football matches. There are a number of performance variables that determine the team s performance. Winning competitions is highly determined on scoring one more goals from opponent teams; So that this study focuses on goal scoring patterns and its effect on the final results of the whole competition held in final qualifying competition to super league entrance. As far as the researches knowledge concerned there are no studies or analysis s made in patterns of goal scoring at any label of competition in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study largely aimed to introduced new experience in research and try to minimize the existed gaps that resist the development of football game in Ethiopia, depending on a scientific approach to assess factors associated with goal scoring in final qualifying competition to super league entrance, there by recommend possible solutions for the problems they come accross in thier football games. 3. Research questions 1. In which form of play and how can a team score more goals? 2. Which playing style and strategies helps teams to win competitions? 3. What are the most important performance parameters of successful teams? 4. What are the strength of teams; that can be further developed and its weakness, which suggest areas for improvement? 4. Aim or Objective of the Study The main aim of match analysis is to identify strengths of one s own team, which can then be further developed, and its weaknesses, which suggest areas for improvement. Similarly, a coach analyzing the performance of an opposition side will use the data to identify ways to counter that team s strengths and exploit its weaknesses. So that the objective of this intended study is to: - Examine the best successful attacking teams and players in football. Set new trends in terms of playing style and training

to analyze the performance parameters of the most successful teams To identify strengths of one s own team, which can then be further developed, and its weaknesses, which suggest areas for improvements? 5. Significance of the study The result can be used for athletes, coaches, sport science professionals and soccer community members to use the information in order to improve their team s performance. Athletes especially strikers will know how teams can score more goals than their opponents. Provides valuable information for researchers regarding strength and weakness of the Ethiopian soccer attacking performance. It will allow teams or coaches to design training exercises similar to the actual competition and adapt the game style with regard to match status. Moreover, teams or coaches can use this information to establish objectives for players and teams. These objectives can be oriented in a positive way (things or number of things to try to achieve) or in a negative way (things or number of things to try to avoid) with a special reference to the offensive or defensive play. 6. Methods Footage from all matches from the 2014/15 final qualifying competition to premier league entrance football matches were obtain via recording into digital video. Goal less games and Goals scored by own players were excluded from the study. A Sport Scout coding template was created to allow necessary information to be drawn from the footage by two experienced coders. All the output data was exported from Sport Scout into IBM SPSS statistics 20 data base for subsequent data analysis. The following performance indicators was analyzed: a) Time of goal score (0-15, 16-30, 31-45+, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90+, 1st extra time, 2nd extra time) b) Influence in the final score of the first goal (Win, Draw, Loss) c) Type of play (Open play, Set play) d) Style of play (Positional play, Direct play, Counter attack) e) Type of set play (Free kick, Corner, Penalty, Throw in) f) Initiation zone of the attack (pitch zones) g) Number of passes leading up to goal (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8+) h) Type of feed prior to goal scored (Pass<10m, Pass 10-20m, Cross, Shot, Individual action) i) Scoring area (pitch zones) j) Actions leading up to goal (One touch, Control+shot, Control+dribble+shot) k) Shot type (Instep shot, Inside of the foot, Header, Other) l) Existence of pressure by defenders on scorer (Pressure, No pressure) m) Scorer s playing position (Striker, Winger, Midfielder, Defender) n) Goal zone (a1, a2, a3, b1, b2, b3, c1, c2, c3) 7. Statistical Analysis. 7.1 IBM SPSS statistics 20 was used Firstly, a descriptive analysis of the data was done (frequency, average, standard deviation). Then, to compare distribution frequency between independent variables chi-square tests was used, while one-way repeated measures ANOVA and t-test were used to compare average. ~ 19 ~ 8. Results Altogether 38 goals from 17 matches were analyzed which is on average 2.38±1.03 per match. Only in one of these matches no goals were scored. At final qualifying competition to premiere league entrance, 63.2 of the goals were scored in the second half and 25.2% of them in the last 15-min period. However, there was not significant difference between the first and second half of the match (F (1, 75) =1.618, p =.123) as well as ANOVA did not show that frequency of goals scored were time dependent (F (5, 71) =1.045, p=.367). As expected, results presented that the first goal is critically important to match outcome. Moreover, of the teams that scored first results showed that they won 71.7%, lost 8.8% and had drawn 19.5% of the matches (x2(2, 29) =24.069,p<0.001). Most goals (70.6%) were scored during open play mainly following positional play while the rest of them were scored after a set play (29.4%), mainly following corner kicks and free kicks. Concerning initiation zone of the attack, it was presented that 46.5% of goals began from the attacking half, 53.5% from the defending half, while 52.6% goals began from central zone of the pitch. No differences were found between right and left zone, where in each zone 23.7% of goals were scored. Regarding the type of feed, most goals were scored after a cross (47.7%) or a short pass (35.2%) which were significant differently ((x2(4, 71) =46.535, p<0.001) compared to feed from pass 10-20m (7.2%), shot (4.0%) and individual action (8.7%). Moreover, results presented that after the final pass, the scorer finished in most cases with one touch (73.1%) which was statistically different (x2(2,71) =26.630, p<0.001), secondly after controlling the ball (21.5%) and finally after controlling and dribbling before shooting (16.9%). regarding the pitch zones from which goals were scored, where over 91% of goals were scored inside the penalty area and specifically from the area between penalty spot and goal zone (42.1%). Concerning the way that the goals were scored from the player, it was shown that instep shots accounted for 42.67%, inside of the foot for 32.% and header for 29.33%, whereas almost ½ of the goals (41.4%) were scored without any pressure from defending players. As expected, most of the goals were scored from strikers (41.3%) and wingers (29.3%), whereas midfielders (20%) and defenders (9.4%) had diminished percentages. Finally, Figure 4 shows the goal zones where the goals were ended. 9. Discussion The aim of the study was to investigate the factors associated with goal scoring patterns in football, taking into consideration a broader range of performance indicators. Firstly, it was presented that goals scored were not time dependent. Although no statistical difference was observed, more goals scored in the second half of the matches, while 15min period analysis revealed that more goals were scored in the beginning and in the end of the second half. Game period has been suggested as one of the factors that influence team performance and the majority of papers in the literature are in agreement with the present study. In this way, Kirkendall and his colleagues found that goals were most common at the start of the second half and the end of the game in World Cup 1998. Moreover, Abt, Dickson and Mummery observed an upward trend in the number of goals scored as time progressed in 703 matches played during four seasons of the Australian National Soccer League. The highest percentage of goals was scored in the last 5-minute period of each half (41st-45th min. and 86th -90th min.). Armatas and Yiannakos verified that in 2006 FIFA

World Cup matches the greatest number of goals was scored between the 75th and 90th minutes, while Yiannakos and Armatas in their study for Euro 2004 found that significant more of goals were scored in second half. The results of the present study could be attributed in tactical and physiological factors. In a recent study, Pratas, Volossovitch and Ferreira, found that teams perform significantly fewer direct plays in the first half and make significantly more shots in the second half of Portuguese league matches. One reason could be that players consider rapid movements with the ball to involve risk and therefore attempt less such actions during the first half, when the match result is not yet decided. Additionally, Reilly reports that play may become urgent towards the end of match as teams chase a result, thus players are more willing to take greater risks towards the end of a match in order to affect an outcome. It is also possible that the losing team pushes players forward in order to create scoring opportunities, thereby scoring themselves or conceding further goals. Many studies have reported a decrease in physical performance in the second half of matches and explained that this is due to physical fatigue. According to Mohr et al., the time motion analyses and performance measures during match-play, fatigue or reduced performance seem to occur at three different stages in the game: a) after short-term intense periods in both halves; b) in the initial phase of the second half; and c) towards the end of the game. Moreover, it has been observed that the amount of high-intensity running is reduced in the final 15 min of a top-class football match and that jumping, sprinting, and intermittent exercise performance is lowered after versus before a football match. Preparing for a team to last for 90 minutes does not reduce the need to be alert right from the kickoff. It is a terrible setback to concede a goal in the first minute and, of course, extreme boost for the scoring team. The results of the present study highlighted the significance of the first goal to the match outcome; it was shown that when a team scored first, it won 71.7% of the matches. In previous studies it was presented that teams which scored first went on to win 73.5% in 1994 World Cup tournament, 59.4% of the matches where there was a winner in 2002 World Cup and 73.21% in 2002 World Cup 2006. Research on psychological momentum agrees with the present results. Moreover, it has shown that early success in a competition (e.g. scoring first) is a strong predictor of outcome in football. Performance after the first goal is controlled by two responses: firstly how well the team which scores the first goal retains its advantage and secondly how well the team which concedes the first goal counters its disadvantage. Thus when leading, it is important to keep pressing for more. In training, therefore, a coach should subject a team to a situation of playing while in the lead so the players develop the mental strength that is needed to sustain a lead. This can be done through simulated handicapped play, where a team starts a game knowing that they are either ahead by one or trailing by one or two goals. This will enable the coach to assess the reaction of the players in the different situations. In relation to type of play, most goals scored after open play (70.6%) and almost 1/3 after set plays (29.4%). This coincides with the results of James, Mellalieu and Taylor, Lago and Martin and Taylor, James and Mellalieu who showed that about 25%-40% of all goals have been scored on set plays. Our findings provide further evidence for the importance of practicing set plays because of their potential productivity, despite their relatively low occurrence in comparison to open ~ 20 ~ play opportunities. Concerning the style of play that was used to score a goal, the majority of goals were scored after positional attacks (57%) but significant percentage was scored after counter attack (21%) and direct play (22%). In a recent study, that examined the goal scoring patterns in final qualifying to premier enterance competition presented similar results (positional attacks: 44.1%, counter attacks: 20.3%, set plays: 35.6%). Also, according to Dufour 88% of the goals in the World Cup Tournament in 1990 came from an organized offense and 12% from a counter-attack. A more recent study found that despite the fact that frequency of counter-attacks in modern football is low (4.9%), they are considered to be more effective than organized offense moves; the following percentages are indicative and support such a proposition: 16.9% of counter-attacks lead to a goal whereas only 11.1% of positional attacks are successful. Concerning the set play s effectiveness, the data collected in present study are similar to those found by other authors and allow us to assert that corner kick (47.6%) and free kick (33.3%) are the plays that are performed on set pieces which result in the highest number of goals. Thus, free kicks and corner kicks have been shown to be the greatest source of goals, producing 46% and 13% of goals respectively at the 1994 World Cup and 50% and 47.6% at the 1998 competition and 33.3% and 26.7% at the 2006 competition. Regarding the initiation zone of the attack, it was presented that most goals began from the attacking half while no differences were found between right and left zone. Jankovic and his colleagues studied Euro 2008 and presented that 28.8%, 38.3% and 31.2% of goals initiated from the defensive third, middle third and attacking third respectively. Moreover, recent studies presented that in the 5 minutes before a goal was scored, the scoring team had significantly more possession in the middle and attacking thirds compared to the half average. The authors suggested a definite shift and territorial advantage for the team about to score in the 5 minutes leading to the goal. The results of the present study supported previous findings that more than 91% of goals were scored from within the penalty area. The current value is similar to the 90% observed by Olsen for the 1986 World Cup, 87% by Wright and his colleagues for English Premier League and 83.4% by Armatas and Yiannakos for the 2006 World Cup. Moreover, it was presented that there seems to be an effective area inside the penalty from which 42.1% goals scored. With relation to the goal scorer, we found that 41.3% and 29.3% of goals were scored by strikers and wingers respectively. In a recent study, Acar and his colleagues concluded that forward players scored 57% of goals in the 2006 World Cup while Mitrotasios and colleagues studied Greek Super League and concluded that strikers scored 47.7% of goals. In the present study, strikers and wingers were discriminated because of the massive usage of the wings due to systems of play with winger players (1-4-2-3-1 and 1-4-3-3). Moreover, in most cases the player scored the goal with one touch (63.7%) and almost ½ of the goals were scored without any pressure from defenders, however the above results could not be comparable because of the lack in literature. 10. Conclusions The main objective of this study was to analyze the performance parameters of the most successful teams in Ethiopia National league which competed in the final tournament of the European Championship in 2012, in order to give clues for specific tactical issues and training guidelines

that coaches and competitive players need to carry out to be successful. The results demonstrate that top European teams score 1/4 of goals after set plays, initiate attacks from offensive half and there is not a principle that determines that ball possessions with few or many passes provide more goals. Moreover, there seems to be a critical zone inside the penalty area from which most goals are scored, crosses identified as a relevant factor for team goals and almost ½ of the goals were scored without any pressure from defenders. 11. Applications in Sport The present study presented values that can be used as normative data to design and evaluate practices and matches for football performance in a collective way. Likewise, it will allow coaches to design training exercises similar to the actual competition and adapt the game style with regard to match status. Moreover, coaches can use this information to establish objectives for players and teams. 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