- Oct 19, 2004
- 39,837
- 50,713
OK pop pickers, This world cup has been tactical jamboree. We've had LVG outfoxing tiki taka, the Chilians blitzkrieging their way through to the quarters and Brazil kicking their way through to the semis. We've had 433's, 4231's, 532's and various other variations.
Feel free to wade in with your take on all.
I'm going to start with a BC staple. POSSESSION. Nine tenths of the (BC's) law and all that. So how's it been hanging at the Cup of Worldness ? Does the law still apply ?
Here's the simple facts thus far:
of the 48 group games, 39 resulted in win/lose results, not draws. I've only analysed these. Of those 39 21.5 (one was 50/50) went with possession. Thats 55%
Of the last 16 round there were 8 games. Of the 6 completed without pens (i.e. positive result), 5 went with possession. That's 83%. Of the total of eight games 5 went with possession (in other words the best not having the ball got the other two was a draw), giving an overall 63% for the last 16.
4 Quarters gave us 3 clear results, 2 with possession - 66%. Of the 4 teams who went through, 3 games went with possession. 75%.
So the bottom line regarding the old possessionola this world cup, so far 64% of games go with the team who takes care of the ball. The longer the tournament has gone, the more possession has become a major factor.
Suggesting the death of possession has been somewhat exaggerated. Sing it with me people;
We'll take more care of you, baaaaaaallllllllll, baaaallllllll.
Feel free to wade in with your take on all.
I'm going to start with a BC staple. POSSESSION. Nine tenths of the (BC's) law and all that. So how's it been hanging at the Cup of Worldness ? Does the law still apply ?
Here's the simple facts thus far:
of the 48 group games, 39 resulted in win/lose results, not draws. I've only analysed these. Of those 39 21.5 (one was 50/50) went with possession. Thats 55%
Of the last 16 round there were 8 games. Of the 6 completed without pens (i.e. positive result), 5 went with possession. That's 83%. Of the total of eight games 5 went with possession (in other words the best not having the ball got the other two was a draw), giving an overall 63% for the last 16.
4 Quarters gave us 3 clear results, 2 with possession - 66%. Of the 4 teams who went through, 3 games went with possession. 75%.
So the bottom line regarding the old possessionola this world cup, so far 64% of games go with the team who takes care of the ball. The longer the tournament has gone, the more possession has become a major factor.
Suggesting the death of possession has been somewhat exaggerated. Sing it with me people;
We'll take more care of you, baaaaaaallllllllll, baaaallllllll.