Penalties prove me wrong, but Spain win!
After a rather disappointing game ending in 0-0 after extra time between Paraguay and Japan, we finally saw our first penalty shoot out of the World Cup. After one of the Japanese players hit the crossbar, Paraguay were able to complete their penalties and make it through to face an Iberian side.
Meanwhile, Spain received their first card of the tournament, destroying their clean record. But it was worse for Portugal, who saw a player sent off. Although they won't continue in the tournament, a sending-off means that the player will have to miss his country's next international game. Spain won deservedly, going 1-0 up in the second half thanks to another goal from Villa. He's one of the top scorers this competition, along with Slovakia's Vittek and Argentina's Higuain.
Spain also broke Portugal's clean sheet for the tournament, and they are still the cleanest-playing team, with only one card.
There are no more games until July 2nd, so over the next few days when I'm not busy, there'll be a few stats posts about the cup coming out.
Goals per game: Mean – 2.19, Median – 2.5, Mode – 2, Range – 7
Cards per game: Mean – 3.91, Median – 5, Mode – 5, Range - 10
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
30/06/2010
29/06/2010
Day Nineteen preview: 29/6/2010
Today we have the final two games of the last 16. There's an Iberian battle of epic proportions, and the craziest country in the world take on Paraguay.
Paraguay vs Japan
In terms of ranking, Paraguay are 31st in the FIFA/Coca-Cola rankings, and Japan are 45th. Point one to Paraguay.
The teams have faced each other seven times, drawing five of those times, and Paraguay winning the other two. Point two to Paraguay.
Japan have failed to make it to the 1994 World Cup, and made it to the final 16 on home turf in 2002. Otherwise they have only faced the group stages. Paraguay also failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup, and have otherwise had three final 16 knockouts, and one group stage knockout. Point three to Paraguay.
In this World Cup, Japan have a 2-0-1 group stage record, while Paraguay have a 1-2-0 record. Point four to Japan (for two wins against one).
So Paraguay are winners by the stats. But it's close, especially as the teams are both low-ranked.
Spain vs Portugal
Spain are ranked 2nd in the world. Portugal are third. Point one to Spain.
In their 33 matches, Spain have won 15, drawn 13 and only lost 3. Point two to Spain.
In the World Cups from 1994-2006, Spain have made it to two quarter-finals, one final-16s and one group stage. Portugal did not even qualify for 1994 or 1998, went out in the group stages once, and came fourth in 2006. So point three to Spain.
In the Euro Cups from 1992-2008, Portugal made it to the final once, the semi-final once, and the quarter-finals twice (but did not qualify in 1992). Spain were champions in 2008, but otherwise have had two quarter-finals and one group stage (also failing in 1992). Point four to Portugal.
Just by this World Cup, Spain have a 2-0-1 record to Portugal's 1-2-0, which gives point five to Spain.
Spain have the advantage, especially in recent years (winning Euro 2008 when Portugal went out in the quarter-finals), so they are likely to win.
Paraguay vs Japan
In terms of ranking, Paraguay are 31st in the FIFA/Coca-Cola rankings, and Japan are 45th. Point one to Paraguay.
The teams have faced each other seven times, drawing five of those times, and Paraguay winning the other two. Point two to Paraguay.
Japan have failed to make it to the 1994 World Cup, and made it to the final 16 on home turf in 2002. Otherwise they have only faced the group stages. Paraguay also failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup, and have otherwise had three final 16 knockouts, and one group stage knockout. Point three to Paraguay.
In this World Cup, Japan have a 2-0-1 group stage record, while Paraguay have a 1-2-0 record. Point four to Japan (for two wins against one).
So Paraguay are winners by the stats. But it's close, especially as the teams are both low-ranked.
Spain vs Portugal
Spain are ranked 2nd in the world. Portugal are third. Point one to Spain.
In their 33 matches, Spain have won 15, drawn 13 and only lost 3. Point two to Spain.
In the World Cups from 1994-2006, Spain have made it to two quarter-finals, one final-16s and one group stage. Portugal did not even qualify for 1994 or 1998, went out in the group stages once, and came fourth in 2006. So point three to Spain.
In the Euro Cups from 1992-2008, Portugal made it to the final once, the semi-final once, and the quarter-finals twice (but did not qualify in 1992). Spain were champions in 2008, but otherwise have had two quarter-finals and one group stage (also failing in 1992). Point four to Portugal.
Just by this World Cup, Spain have a 2-0-1 record to Portugal's 1-2-0, which gives point five to Spain.
Spain have the advantage, especially in recent years (winning Euro 2008 when Portugal went out in the quarter-finals), so they are likely to win.
24/06/2010
Day Fourteen: 24/6/2010
The champions are out!
Everyone was surprised today. I would have thought Italy would have played better, as England did yesterday. But they did not, and lost to a team that have never been in a World Cup before: Slovakia!
“As things stand now, reigning world champions Italy would join 2006 runners-up France in failing to progress from the group stage. This would be a FIFA World Cup first. Never before have the two finalists from the previous tournament been knocked out in the group stage the following World Cup. This even includes years in which the runner-up did not qualify.” - Fifa.com in Paraguay vs New Zealand matchcast (emphasis mine).
Interestingly, Paraguay lost their last three matches when the score was 0-0 at half time. This time, they have drawn against opponents New Zealand, but their previous good results put them through to the next round. New Zealand have had three straight group-stage draws now. The last time this happened in a World Cup was in France, 1998, with Belgium and Chile.
During the Italy/Slovakia game, one of the ITV commentators said this: “Kopunek never has to kick another football in his life again. He can bore his grandchildren forever." This was after Slovakia had gone 3-1 up. He had scored in an unmarked goal - something a lot of other players have failed to do this year. While the final score was eventually 3-2, this was still a game for the Slovaks to be proud of.
My predictions only came half-true in group F thanks to Italy's poor performance.
Next up, Netherlands – already through – took on Cameroon – who were already out, so I only watched the Japanese game. If the Netherlands had lost, Japan might have been able to go first in their group, but that wasn't the case. Japan took the lead in their game with two fantastic goals from free kicks, and although Denmark got one goal back, they were unable to emulate Italy as Japan got a third goal. It's the first time Japan have gone into the last 16 from the group stages away from home. So in this group, my predictions proved correct.
We now have quite a few players competing for the Adidas golden boot; top scorers are: Argentina's Higuain, Slovakia's Vittek (3 each) and Elano (Brazil), Honda (Japan), Villa (Spain), Fabiano (Brazil), Gyan (Ghana), Donovan (USA), Lee Jung Soo (South Korea) and Forlan (Argentina) with two goals each and the chance to increase that score. Nigeria's Uche and Australia's Holman also have two goals each.
The current qualifiers are from the following continents: South America (Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay), North America (Mexico, USA), Europe (England, Germany, Netherlands, Slovakia), Asia (South Korea, Japan), Africa (Ghana). So the only unrepresented continent is Australasia, whose two teams are already out of the competition.
Now there is no chance that the world champions will win this year, so the World Cup is open to everyone who has the will and ability to go for it.
Goals per game: Mean – 2.16, Median – 2, Mode – 2, Range – 7
Cards per game: Mean – 4, Median – 4, Mode – 5, Range - 9
Predictions for tomorrow: Brazil are already through, and I think Portugal will also win as they have too-big a goal difference against Ivory Coast. Then Spain and Chile will go through from group H.
Everyone was surprised today. I would have thought Italy would have played better, as England did yesterday. But they did not, and lost to a team that have never been in a World Cup before: Slovakia!
“As things stand now, reigning world champions Italy would join 2006 runners-up France in failing to progress from the group stage. This would be a FIFA World Cup first. Never before have the two finalists from the previous tournament been knocked out in the group stage the following World Cup. This even includes years in which the runner-up did not qualify.” - Fifa.com in Paraguay vs New Zealand matchcast (emphasis mine).
Interestingly, Paraguay lost their last three matches when the score was 0-0 at half time. This time, they have drawn against opponents New Zealand, but their previous good results put them through to the next round. New Zealand have had three straight group-stage draws now. The last time this happened in a World Cup was in France, 1998, with Belgium and Chile.
During the Italy/Slovakia game, one of the ITV commentators said this: “Kopunek never has to kick another football in his life again. He can bore his grandchildren forever." This was after Slovakia had gone 3-1 up. He had scored in an unmarked goal - something a lot of other players have failed to do this year. While the final score was eventually 3-2, this was still a game for the Slovaks to be proud of.
My predictions only came half-true in group F thanks to Italy's poor performance.
Next up, Netherlands – already through – took on Cameroon – who were already out, so I only watched the Japanese game. If the Netherlands had lost, Japan might have been able to go first in their group, but that wasn't the case. Japan took the lead in their game with two fantastic goals from free kicks, and although Denmark got one goal back, they were unable to emulate Italy as Japan got a third goal. It's the first time Japan have gone into the last 16 from the group stages away from home. So in this group, my predictions proved correct.
We now have quite a few players competing for the Adidas golden boot; top scorers are: Argentina's Higuain, Slovakia's Vittek (3 each) and Elano (Brazil), Honda (Japan), Villa (Spain), Fabiano (Brazil), Gyan (Ghana), Donovan (USA), Lee Jung Soo (South Korea) and Forlan (Argentina) with two goals each and the chance to increase that score. Nigeria's Uche and Australia's Holman also have two goals each.
The current qualifiers are from the following continents: South America (Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay), North America (Mexico, USA), Europe (England, Germany, Netherlands, Slovakia), Asia (South Korea, Japan), Africa (Ghana). So the only unrepresented continent is Australasia, whose two teams are already out of the competition.
Now there is no chance that the world champions will win this year, so the World Cup is open to everyone who has the will and ability to go for it.
Goals per game: Mean – 2.16, Median – 2, Mode – 2, Range – 7
Cards per game: Mean – 4, Median – 4, Mode – 5, Range - 9
Predictions for tomorrow: Brazil are already through, and I think Portugal will also win as they have too-big a goal difference against Ivory Coast. Then Spain and Chile will go through from group H.
19/06/2010
Day Nine: 19/6/2010
Cameroon lose again as Australia scrape a draw
First, some information on the ages of all the card receivers in World Cup matches:
There have been 103 cards given out so far in this World Cup. The oldest player to get a card is 34-year-old Australian Craig MOORE, who isn't signed up for any team - in fact he is one of only three players in this World Cup who has no national league team [Fifa.com]. He has got two yellow cards in two separate matches, so he misses Australia's final game against Ghana.
The youngest player is Nigeria's Lukman HARUNA, aged just 19. Haruna plays for Monaco, in France.
The median age for a card receiver is 25, with LQ 23, and UQ 29 (in case there are any statistics geeks out there). The mean age is 26 years.
More stats on cards tomorrow!
Now, there were three more football matches today. Japan played well against the Netherlands, but a goal for Wesley SNEIDJER (pronounced 'Snider') gave the Netherlands three points.
Next, Ghana played previous losers Australia, who are in only their third World Cup, having previously qualified in 2006 and 1974. In 2006, Australia qualified for the final 16, but can they do the same this time? They only have a single point, but Germany's bad game yesterday means they could still qualify - Ghana is top of the group with only four points. Ghana's GYAN scored his second goal of the World Cup, and again from a penalty, making him equal second in the adidas Golden Boot competition. However, getting his goals in two separate games gives him an edge over Uruguay's Forlan.
Finally, Cameroon played Denmark. They took the lead early on, but Denmark came back to win 2-1. This is the first time Denmark have ever made a comeback from losing to win a group stages game in the World Cup!
I'm so glad FIFA is around to compare statistics with. Otherwise I would be making terrible mistakes! Actually, some of the card averages for the past few days may have been wrong. However, here's the actual results:
Goals per game: Mean - 1.88, Median - 2, Mode - 1,2, Range - 5
Cards per game: Mean - 3.96, Median - 4, Mode - 3,5, Range - 8
Four birthdays tomorrow. I'll probably edit them in tomorrow when FIFA updates their website, because I lost all the birthday boy details.
First, some information on the ages of all the card receivers in World Cup matches:
There have been 103 cards given out so far in this World Cup. The oldest player to get a card is 34-year-old Australian Craig MOORE, who isn't signed up for any team - in fact he is one of only three players in this World Cup who has no national league team [Fifa.com]. He has got two yellow cards in two separate matches, so he misses Australia's final game against Ghana.
The youngest player is Nigeria's Lukman HARUNA, aged just 19. Haruna plays for Monaco, in France.
The median age for a card receiver is 25, with LQ 23, and UQ 29 (in case there are any statistics geeks out there). The mean age is 26 years.
More stats on cards tomorrow!
Now, there were three more football matches today. Japan played well against the Netherlands, but a goal for Wesley SNEIDJER (pronounced 'Snider') gave the Netherlands three points.
Next, Ghana played previous losers Australia, who are in only their third World Cup, having previously qualified in 2006 and 1974. In 2006, Australia qualified for the final 16, but can they do the same this time? They only have a single point, but Germany's bad game yesterday means they could still qualify - Ghana is top of the group with only four points. Ghana's GYAN scored his second goal of the World Cup, and again from a penalty, making him equal second in the adidas Golden Boot competition. However, getting his goals in two separate games gives him an edge over Uruguay's Forlan.
Finally, Cameroon played Denmark. They took the lead early on, but Denmark came back to win 2-1. This is the first time Denmark have ever made a comeback from losing to win a group stages game in the World Cup!
I'm so glad FIFA is around to compare statistics with. Otherwise I would be making terrible mistakes! Actually, some of the card averages for the past few days may have been wrong. However, here's the actual results:
Goals per game: Mean - 1.88, Median - 2, Mode - 1,2, Range - 5
Cards per game: Mean - 3.96, Median - 4, Mode - 3,5, Range - 8
Four birthdays tomorrow. I'll probably edit them in tomorrow when FIFA updates their website, because I lost all the birthday boy details.
14/06/2010
Day Four: 14/6/2010
Lots of shocks and good football
Before I begin the day's statistics, here is some info on goals and cards:
So the strikers have been slacking off so far in the goalscoring department, but far too violent in their gameplay. However, assuming a 4-4-2 system, the goalies have done well in the card department. Midfielders have more than their fair share.
You'll notice that we've had our first own goal in the tournament. This was an unfortunate result of Danish defender Daniel AGGER being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The ball struck his back and went sailing into the goal. Expensive Liverpool player Agger is 25 years old; by expensive, I mean that Liverpool paid more for him than any other defender on their team.
The Netherlands' first real goal was from another Liverpool player, Dirk KUYT. Dirk is just shy of his 30th birthday, and is unusual in that he doesn't clash with the orange shirts his team wears!
The second game of the day was also a shock. In a fairly clean game with only one yellow card apiece, Japan's HONDA Keisuke scored against an unlucky Cameroon on the day after his 24th birthday. Even Cameroon's best-known player Samuel ETO'O was unable to score. 29 year old Eto'o has scored 42 goals in 93 international games, which is just under one every two games. Hopefully this means he won't disappoint in Cameroon's next game.
Finally, Italy played Paraguay. Again, the teams shared a yellow apiece to go with their 1-1 draw. Daniele DE ROSSI scored for Italy after going into the second half a goal down thanks to a lucky shot from Paraguay's Antolin ALCARAZ.
Goals per game: Mean – 1.545, Median – 1, Mode – 1, Range – 4
Cards per game: Mean – 4, Median – 4, Mode – 2,6, Range – 6
Before I begin the day's statistics, here is some info on goals and cards:
| Position | Goals | Cards |
| Goalkeeper | 0 | 0 |
| Defender | 5 (and one own goal) | 13 (one sent off) |
| Midfielder | 8 | 18 (one sent off) |
| Striker | 5 | 8 (two sent off) |
So the strikers have been slacking off so far in the goalscoring department, but far too violent in their gameplay. However, assuming a 4-4-2 system, the goalies have done well in the card department. Midfielders have more than their fair share.
You'll notice that we've had our first own goal in the tournament. This was an unfortunate result of Danish defender Daniel AGGER being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The ball struck his back and went sailing into the goal. Expensive Liverpool player Agger is 25 years old; by expensive, I mean that Liverpool paid more for him than any other defender on their team.
The Netherlands' first real goal was from another Liverpool player, Dirk KUYT. Dirk is just shy of his 30th birthday, and is unusual in that he doesn't clash with the orange shirts his team wears!
The second game of the day was also a shock. In a fairly clean game with only one yellow card apiece, Japan's HONDA Keisuke scored against an unlucky Cameroon on the day after his 24th birthday. Even Cameroon's best-known player Samuel ETO'O was unable to score. 29 year old Eto'o has scored 42 goals in 93 international games, which is just under one every two games. Hopefully this means he won't disappoint in Cameroon's next game.
Finally, Italy played Paraguay. Again, the teams shared a yellow apiece to go with their 1-1 draw. Daniele DE ROSSI scored for Italy after going into the second half a goal down thanks to a lucky shot from Paraguay's Antolin ALCARAZ.
Goals per game: Mean – 1.545, Median – 1, Mode – 1, Range – 4
Cards per game: Mean – 4, Median – 4, Mode – 2,6, Range – 6
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