This weekend there are more Euro 2012 games. Here are the match previews for groups A to E.
Group A
This is really a group of two halves: three Western Europe countries with a Christian history, very close together and sharing (in some parts) the same language; and three Euro-Asian countries of an Islamic background
8/10/2010
Kazakhstan (126) play Belgium (62), Austria (61) play Azerbaijan (102) and Germany (3) play Turkey (21). It seems obvious that Belgium, Austria and German should each win their games.
12/10/10
Azerbaijan (102) play Turkey (21), Kazakhstan (126) play Germany (3), and Belgium (62) play Austria (61). While Turkey and Germany are likely to win their games, it's too hard to predict – from the numbers – who will win out of Belgium and Austria.
Group B
This group features Andorra – on their way to 0 points since their last draw was in September 2007 (now worth a mere 2 points) – and 'geographically in Asia' Armenia, as well as World Cup team Slovakia, Ireland, Russia and Macedonia.
8/10/10
Armenia (105) play Slovakia (16), Andorra (202) play Macedonia (71), and Ireland (33) play Russia Slovakia and Macedonia are set to win, but Ireland have a chance against their opponents.
12/10/10
Armenia (105) play Andorra (202), Slovakia (16) play Ireland (33), and Macedonia (71) play Russia (25). Armenia should win their game, and Russia theirs. Ireland have a stronger opponent, but may prove a challenge.
Group C
Here we find Northern Ireland – now the UK's second-best team after Scotland's performance and beating Slovenia. We also have Italy, Serbia and Slovenia, who are ranked similarly by FIFA, and the rather poorer teams of Faroe Islands and Estonia who kicked off the Euro 2012 qualifiers.
8/10/10
Serbia (15) play Estonia (85), Northern Ireland (45) play Italy (13), and Slovenia (16) play the Faroe Islands (138). Serbia, Italy and Slovenia should each win, since Italy have picked themselves up after the World Cup.
12/10/10
Faroe Islands (138) play Northern Ireland (45), Estonia (85) play Slovenia (16) and Italy (13) play Serbia (15). So while it's wins likely for Northern Ireland and Slovenia, Italy have a challenge on their hands.
Group D
A low-morale France are here, but none of the other teams played in the World Cup. Still, after France's last two matches they will struggle.
8-9/10/10
Luxembourg (130) play Belarus (55) and Albania (67) play Bosnia and Herzegovina (59) on the Friday, then France (27) play Romania (46) on the Saturday. While Belarus have an easy win to claim, the Albania-B&H match should be a challenge. Meanwhile, France may well struggle against Romania.
12/10/10
Belarus (55) play Albania (67) and France (27) play Luxembourg (130). It will be disappointing if France fail to win, and the other match will be tricky for either team to win. Bosnia-Herzegovina and Romania are not playing.
Group E
San Marino haven't won any points in a game since they beat Liechtenstein 1-0 in 2004! This group also features a competitive Northern European group of Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands (who came second in the World Cup).
8/10/10
Hungary (51) play San Marino (203), and Moldova (80) play the Netherlands (2). There's no game for Sweden and Finland. So two simple wins for Hungary and the Netherlands.
12/10/10
Finland (64) play Hungary (51), Netherlands (2) play Sweden (32), and San Marino (203) play Moldova (80). I'd expect Netherlands and Moldova to win, but Finland and Hungary have a struggle on their hands.
Showing posts with label group A. Show all posts
Showing posts with label group A. Show all posts
10/09/2010
Euro 2012 Qualification: Groups A, B September
For the next few days I'll cover the Euro 2012 points for two groups each post. On the sixteenth I'll cover the changes on the FIFA rankings charts where it's interesting.
Group A
There have only been five games for group A so far; for some reason, Austria and Azerbaijan did not play each other on Friday. However, in the matches that were played, Germany won against Azerbaijan and their neighbours Belgium, Turkey beat Kazakhstan and Belgium, and Austria beat Kazakhstan.
Germany earned 1140 points from beating Belgium, and 712.5 points for beating Azerbaijan.*
Turkey earned 562.5 points from beating Kazakhstan, and 1140 points for beating Belgium.
Austria also earned 562.5 points for their victory over Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Belgium earned no points over the weekend, because they lost all their games.
Now, Germany head up group A, with Turkey second, Austria third, then Belgium, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan last.
*Points are averaged over the number of matches per year, down to five. If teams play less than five matches, the total is still divided by five.
Group B
Group B had six games over the weekend. The Republic of Ireland won both their games against Armenia and Andorra; Russia beat Andorra but lost to Slovakia. Macedonia lost to Slovakia and won against Armenia.
Ireland earned 780 points from beating Armenia, and 375 points for beating Andorra.
Russia earned 375 points from beating Andorra, but didn't get any when they lost to Slovakia.
Slovakia earned 1005 points from beating Macedonia, and 1380 points from beating Russia.
Macedonia also earned 780 points for winning against Armenia.
Armenia and Andorra, having lost both their games, earned no points.
Ireland lead the group on goal difference, with Slovakia second. Macedonia and Russia are third, with Armenia and Andorra fifth and sixth respectively.
Group A
There have only been five games for group A so far; for some reason, Austria and Azerbaijan did not play each other on Friday. However, in the matches that were played, Germany won against Azerbaijan and their neighbours Belgium, Turkey beat Kazakhstan and Belgium, and Austria beat Kazakhstan.
Germany earned 1140 points from beating Belgium, and 712.5 points for beating Azerbaijan.*
Turkey earned 562.5 points from beating Kazakhstan, and 1140 points for beating Belgium.
Austria also earned 562.5 points for their victory over Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Belgium earned no points over the weekend, because they lost all their games.
Now, Germany head up group A, with Turkey second, Austria third, then Belgium, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan last.
*Points are averaged over the number of matches per year, down to five. If teams play less than five matches, the total is still divided by five.
Group B
Group B had six games over the weekend. The Republic of Ireland won both their games against Armenia and Andorra; Russia beat Andorra but lost to Slovakia. Macedonia lost to Slovakia and won against Armenia.
Ireland earned 780 points from beating Armenia, and 375 points for beating Andorra.
Russia earned 375 points from beating Andorra, but didn't get any when they lost to Slovakia.
Slovakia earned 1005 points from beating Macedonia, and 1380 points from beating Russia.
Macedonia also earned 780 points for winning against Armenia.
Armenia and Andorra, having lost both their games, earned no points.
Ireland lead the group on goal difference, with Slovakia second. Macedonia and Russia are third, with Armenia and Andorra fifth and sixth respectively.
31/08/2010
Euro 2012 Qualification: 2/9/2010-7/9/2010
This week, we have two sets of International games taking place. The first lot are on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd of September, and the second are on Tuesday 7th. [Subject to any last-minute changes]
Over the next couple of posts, I'll take a brief look at each group and the matches taking place before and after the weekend. Today you get groups A-E, and tomorrow's post is groups F-I. After the games (on Saturday and Wednesday respectively), I'll review the number of FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking Points each team received.
Group A - 3/9/2010
Kazakhstan (125) play Turkey (28), and Belgium (48) play Germany (4). For all the teams, it's the first non-friendly match they've played since the World Cup. Germany and Turkey should easily win.
7/9/2010
Turkey (28) play Belgium (48), Austria (60) play Kazakhstan (125), and Germany (4) play Azerbaijan (105). Again another easy win for Germany (hopefully), but Turkey may have a tricky match against Belgium. Austria should win against the Kazakhs.
Group B - 3/9/2010
Armenia (96) play Republic of Ireland (36), Andorra (201) play Russia (16), and Slovakia (27) play Macedonia (66). It's amazing that there are enough Andorrans to form a football team, so Russia should easily win; Slovakia's World Cup time puts them far ahead of Macedonia; and Republic of Ireland will almost certainly beat Armenia.
7/9/2010
Russia (16) play Slovakia (27), Macedonia (66) play Armenia (96), and Republic of Ireland (36) play Andorra (201). RoI will definitely win, but I am not sure about the other matches. Could be draws.
Group C - 3/9/2010
Faroe Islands (118) play Serbia (13), Estonia (94) play Italy (11), and Slovenia (19) play Northern Ireland (59). I suspect Serbia, Italy and Slovenia will each win their matches. No problems.
7/9/2010
Serbia (13) play Slovenia (19), and Italy (11) play Faroe Islands (118). It's unclear about Serbia and Slovenia, but Italy shouldn't lose to the Faroes.
Group D - 3/9/2010
Romania (42) play Albania (70), Luxembourg (117) play Bosnia and Herzegovina (57), and France (21) play Belarus (78). France and Romania are both set to win, and Bosnia-Herzegovina will almost certainly beat the smaller country of Luxembourg.
7/9/2010
Belarus (78) play Romania (42), Albania (70) play Luxembourg (117), and Bosnia-Herzegovina (57) play France (21). An easy win for France – despite their poor World Cup performance, they're still good. Romania may beat Belarus, and Albania should beat Luxembourg.
Group E - 3/9/2010
Moldova (89) play Finland (51), Sweden (35) play Hungary (62), and San Marino (202) play Netherlands (2). San Marino are one of the few teams to have no FIFA/Coca-Cola World Championship points, so will lose to Netherlands easily. Hungary and Moldova will be more of a challenge to their opponents, but I would expect the Scandinavians to win.
7/9/2010
Sweden (35) play San Marino (202), Netherlands (2) play Finland (51), and Hungary (62) play Moldova (89). Sweden and Netherlands will both win, but Hungary-Moldova could be interesting.
Over the next couple of posts, I'll take a brief look at each group and the matches taking place before and after the weekend. Today you get groups A-E, and tomorrow's post is groups F-I. After the games (on Saturday and Wednesday respectively), I'll review the number of FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking Points each team received.
Group A - 3/9/2010
Kazakhstan (125) play Turkey (28), and Belgium (48) play Germany (4). For all the teams, it's the first non-friendly match they've played since the World Cup. Germany and Turkey should easily win.
7/9/2010
Turkey (28) play Belgium (48), Austria (60) play Kazakhstan (125), and Germany (4) play Azerbaijan (105). Again another easy win for Germany (hopefully), but Turkey may have a tricky match against Belgium. Austria should win against the Kazakhs.
Group B - 3/9/2010
Armenia (96) play Republic of Ireland (36), Andorra (201) play Russia (16), and Slovakia (27) play Macedonia (66). It's amazing that there are enough Andorrans to form a football team, so Russia should easily win; Slovakia's World Cup time puts them far ahead of Macedonia; and Republic of Ireland will almost certainly beat Armenia.
7/9/2010
Russia (16) play Slovakia (27), Macedonia (66) play Armenia (96), and Republic of Ireland (36) play Andorra (201). RoI will definitely win, but I am not sure about the other matches. Could be draws.
Group C - 3/9/2010
Faroe Islands (118) play Serbia (13), Estonia (94) play Italy (11), and Slovenia (19) play Northern Ireland (59). I suspect Serbia, Italy and Slovenia will each win their matches. No problems.
7/9/2010
Serbia (13) play Slovenia (19), and Italy (11) play Faroe Islands (118). It's unclear about Serbia and Slovenia, but Italy shouldn't lose to the Faroes.
Group D - 3/9/2010
Romania (42) play Albania (70), Luxembourg (117) play Bosnia and Herzegovina (57), and France (21) play Belarus (78). France and Romania are both set to win, and Bosnia-Herzegovina will almost certainly beat the smaller country of Luxembourg.
7/9/2010
Belarus (78) play Romania (42), Albania (70) play Luxembourg (117), and Bosnia-Herzegovina (57) play France (21). An easy win for France – despite their poor World Cup performance, they're still good. Romania may beat Belarus, and Albania should beat Luxembourg.
Group E - 3/9/2010
Moldova (89) play Finland (51), Sweden (35) play Hungary (62), and San Marino (202) play Netherlands (2). San Marino are one of the few teams to have no FIFA/Coca-Cola World Championship points, so will lose to Netherlands easily. Hungary and Moldova will be more of a challenge to their opponents, but I would expect the Scandinavians to win.
7/9/2010
Sweden (35) play San Marino (202), Netherlands (2) play Finland (51), and Hungary (62) play Moldova (89). Sweden and Netherlands will both win, but Hungary-Moldova could be interesting.
22/06/2010
Day Twelve: 22/6/2010
France fail as Argentina shine
Here's some goalscorer age stats:
The youngest goalscorer is unchanged from last time: Germany's Mueller, aged only 20. The oldest goalscorer is Mexico's Blanco, who scored a penalty against France aged 37. The mean age of a scorer is 27.2, and the median is 27.5, with a lower quartile of 25 and an upper quartile of 29, suggesting most goalscorers are in their late 20s. Indeed, the age with the most goalscorers is 29.
A fantastic game for South Africa, but disappointingly they failed to get through to the next round of the World Cup as Uruguay only won 1-0 against Mexico - goal difference was the deciding factor. France have shown themselves to be a terrible team – they went through more than 338 minutes of World Cup matches without scoring a single goal – which is two-and-a-half matches from this year's cup, and one-and-a-half matches from last year's cup. So Mexico go through on goal difference (+1) as second in their group.
The referee of the France-South Africa game did not do a fantastic job – the first goal was off the shoulder of South African KHUMALO, and the red card against GOURCUFF that brought France down to 10 men was probably undeserved. There has been a lot of bad refereeing in this tournament so far, but let's hope we have a few good refs to choose from to take the Final.
France head home to face a government enquiry into the mess they've ended up in. The only two previous times they have failed to get into the knockout stages – 1966 and 2002 – they were in Uruguay's group each time, and failed to get more than a single point. South Africa are already at home, so there's no long distance to travel for their players, but they put on a great final performance.
Argentina played Greece as South Korea took on Nigeria in the second pair of games today. There was fantastic play in the South Korea/Nigeria game that kept the other two teams guessing as to who would go through. After missing an easy goal in the second half, Yukubu then scored a penalty his team earned to get them on level terms again with the Asian side. All the players were flagging by the end, and struggling to keep going.
Despite a terrible lack of possession for Greece, they held Argentina off their first goal for 77 minutes before DEMICHELIS finally scored to bring the South American side in the lead. They eventually won 2-0 with some fantastic play. To nobody's surprise, Argentina successfully qualified winners of group B to play against Mexico. South Korea go on to face Uruguay.
Predictions for tomorrow: England and USA to qualify from group C, Germany and Serbia to qualify from group D. I would say Germany and Ghana if they weren't playing each other, and I expect Germany to win this game, and Serbia to beat Australia.
We have two South American, one mid-American and one Asian side through to the next round of the World Cup so far. If my predictions prove correct, then three European and one North American side will join them.
Goals per game: Mean – 2.14, Median – 2, Mode – 2, Range – 7
Cards per game: Mean – 3.92, Median – 4, Mode – 2,3, Range – 9
It seems goals are increasing, and the roughness of the games is decreasing.
Here's some goalscorer age stats:
The youngest goalscorer is unchanged from last time: Germany's Mueller, aged only 20. The oldest goalscorer is Mexico's Blanco, who scored a penalty against France aged 37. The mean age of a scorer is 27.2, and the median is 27.5, with a lower quartile of 25 and an upper quartile of 29, suggesting most goalscorers are in their late 20s. Indeed, the age with the most goalscorers is 29.
A fantastic game for South Africa, but disappointingly they failed to get through to the next round of the World Cup as Uruguay only won 1-0 against Mexico - goal difference was the deciding factor. France have shown themselves to be a terrible team – they went through more than 338 minutes of World Cup matches without scoring a single goal – which is two-and-a-half matches from this year's cup, and one-and-a-half matches from last year's cup. So Mexico go through on goal difference (+1) as second in their group.
The referee of the France-South Africa game did not do a fantastic job – the first goal was off the shoulder of South African KHUMALO, and the red card against GOURCUFF that brought France down to 10 men was probably undeserved. There has been a lot of bad refereeing in this tournament so far, but let's hope we have a few good refs to choose from to take the Final.
France head home to face a government enquiry into the mess they've ended up in. The only two previous times they have failed to get into the knockout stages – 1966 and 2002 – they were in Uruguay's group each time, and failed to get more than a single point. South Africa are already at home, so there's no long distance to travel for their players, but they put on a great final performance.
Argentina played Greece as South Korea took on Nigeria in the second pair of games today. There was fantastic play in the South Korea/Nigeria game that kept the other two teams guessing as to who would go through. After missing an easy goal in the second half, Yukubu then scored a penalty his team earned to get them on level terms again with the Asian side. All the players were flagging by the end, and struggling to keep going.
Despite a terrible lack of possession for Greece, they held Argentina off their first goal for 77 minutes before DEMICHELIS finally scored to bring the South American side in the lead. They eventually won 2-0 with some fantastic play. To nobody's surprise, Argentina successfully qualified winners of group B to play against Mexico. South Korea go on to face Uruguay.
Predictions for tomorrow: England and USA to qualify from group C, Germany and Serbia to qualify from group D. I would say Germany and Ghana if they weren't playing each other, and I expect Germany to win this game, and Serbia to beat Australia.
We have two South American, one mid-American and one Asian side through to the next round of the World Cup so far. If my predictions prove correct, then three European and one North American side will join them.
Goals per game: Mean – 2.14, Median – 2, Mode – 2, Range – 7
Cards per game: Mean – 3.92, Median – 4, Mode – 2,3, Range – 9
It seems goals are increasing, and the roughness of the games is decreasing.
17/06/2010
Day Seven: 17/6/2010
Lots of numbers and surprises!
There are loads of different exciting statistics about today that I've picked up from Fifa and listening to the BBC and ITV. Here are today's top stats:
It's the end of the first week of the world cup. In total, 20 games have been played. 38 goals have been scored in those games, and a shocking 75 cards shown to players, with six sendings-off.
The English league had provided the most scorers (8, if you include Mexican Javier HERNANDEZ who is transferring to Manchester United), but only players from La Liga in Spain – Uruguay's Diego FORLAN and Argentina's Gonzalo HIGUAIN, have scored more than one goal so far.
Tomorrow, Algeria's Nadir BELHADJ will be 28 years old, and playing against England. Well, I don't want to wish him an unhappy birthday, but I am English...
The scariest thing about this World Cup is that for the first time, several players are younger than me. That's a statistic that makes you realise you're growing up. Here are some less-scary stats:
Goals per game: Mean – 1.9, Median – 2, Mode – 2, Range – 5
Cards per game: Mean – 3.75, Median – 3.5, Mode – 3, Range – 6
There are loads of different exciting statistics about today that I've picked up from Fifa and listening to the BBC and ITV. Here are today's top stats:
- Hernandez scores the 2,100th goal in World Cup history! There have only been 18 World Cups, so that's an average (mean) of 117 goals per tournament.
- Higuain scores the first hat-trick in a World Cup since 2002, and becomes the top scorer in the 2010 World Cup. Uruguay's Diego Forlan only held onto that title for one day, when he scored twice yesterday.
- Greece wins their first ever World Cup finals game, and it's the first time they've scored in a finals too! According to Fifa, they took 404 minutes of World Cup gameplay to score their first goal.
- Less happily, South Korean PARK Chu Young scores the second own goal of the tournament.
- Sani KAITA of Nigeria receives the third straight red card of the tournament after a stupid kick at a Greek player. Nigeria had been ahead, but went on to lose 2-1.
- Mexican BLANCO scores the third penalty goal of the tournament, and helps to damage France's chances of qualifying. France now have to defeat South Africa - and Mexico's game against Uruguay cannot end in a draw - for them to qualify.
- The total distance run so far in the World Cup by all players is 4,144,261 metres, or 207,213 metres on average per game. In total that is 103.4 times around the Equator!
- Nigeria is the only team in the World Cup to take all its members from leagues outside the country. In other words, no Nigerian team members usually play in Nigeria.
It's the end of the first week of the world cup. In total, 20 games have been played. 38 goals have been scored in those games, and a shocking 75 cards shown to players, with six sendings-off.
The English league had provided the most scorers (8, if you include Mexican Javier HERNANDEZ who is transferring to Manchester United), but only players from La Liga in Spain – Uruguay's Diego FORLAN and Argentina's Gonzalo HIGUAIN, have scored more than one goal so far.
Tomorrow, Algeria's Nadir BELHADJ will be 28 years old, and playing against England. Well, I don't want to wish him an unhappy birthday, but I am English...
The scariest thing about this World Cup is that for the first time, several players are younger than me. That's a statistic that makes you realise you're growing up. Here are some less-scary stats:
Goals per game: Mean – 1.9, Median – 2, Mode – 2, Range – 5
Cards per game: Mean – 3.75, Median – 3.5, Mode – 3, Range – 6
16/06/2010
Day Six: 16/6/2010
Disappointment for South Africa
Here's some time news for goals:
Latest goal: 95 (90+5') minutes – Alvaro PEREIRA (Uruguay) against South Africa
Earliest goal: 4 minutes – Stephen GERRARD (England) against USA
Mean time to score: 53 minutes
Median Time: 53.5 minutes (same as mean)
Lower Quartile: 36.5 minutes
Upper Quartile: 79 minutes
In other words: Most goals are scored towards the end of the first half, but during most of the second half.
Onto the day's news. Chile unsurprisingly beat Honduras 1-0 after a first-half goal. Their scorer was Jean BEAUSEJOUR, in minute 34 (so a fast goal according to the stats). He's 26 years old, and plays for a Mexican team called America. For a striker, he's a rubbish goalscorer, having only taken 2 goals in 28 international matches. There were three yellow cards, and two of those also went to Chile. So far, only three teams have managed to avoid getting any cards – both Korean teams and Spain.
Talking of Spain, they played well against Switzerland, but were shocked when their weaker opponents scored against them. Spain were unable to return the favour, so Swiss player Gelson FERNANDES who scored is probably especially jubilant. Spain avoided any yellow cards, but Switzerland picked up four, including one for their goalkeeper Diego BENAGLIO, breaking the goalkeepers' run of good behaviour this tournament.
But it was South African goalie Itumeleng KHUNE who really ruined the goalies' profiles as he gained a straight red card for his conduct in their game against Uruguay. Finally we had a player who scored two goals, as well-known Diego FORLAN scored in the 23rd minute, and then with a penalty in the 80th minute. This makes him the current top scorer in the 2010 World Cup.
Goals per game: Mean – 1.647, Median – 2, Mode – 1,2, Range - 4
Cards per game: Mean – 3.47, Median – 3, Mode – 3, Range – 6
Tomorrow, we see France take on Mexico (and hopefully play better) as a David-and-Goliath battle takes place in the form of Argentina on South Korea. Data to come on the country the goalscorers play in.
PS: Each day of the weak I'm going to release different data. Monday: Cards and goals of the different positions. Tuesday: Ages of goalscorers. Wednesday: Times of goals in matches. Thursday: Countries that goalscorers usually play in. Friday: How many own goals/penalties/other goals. Saturday: Ages of card receivers. Sunday: Card statistics (yellows/two yellows/reds).
Here's some time news for goals:
Latest goal: 95 (90+5') minutes – Alvaro PEREIRA (Uruguay) against South Africa
Earliest goal: 4 minutes – Stephen GERRARD (England) against USA
Mean time to score: 53 minutes
Median Time: 53.5 minutes (same as mean)
Lower Quartile: 36.5 minutes
Upper Quartile: 79 minutes
In other words: Most goals are scored towards the end of the first half, but during most of the second half.
Onto the day's news. Chile unsurprisingly beat Honduras 1-0 after a first-half goal. Their scorer was Jean BEAUSEJOUR, in minute 34 (so a fast goal according to the stats). He's 26 years old, and plays for a Mexican team called America. For a striker, he's a rubbish goalscorer, having only taken 2 goals in 28 international matches. There were three yellow cards, and two of those also went to Chile. So far, only three teams have managed to avoid getting any cards – both Korean teams and Spain.
Talking of Spain, they played well against Switzerland, but were shocked when their weaker opponents scored against them. Spain were unable to return the favour, so Swiss player Gelson FERNANDES who scored is probably especially jubilant. Spain avoided any yellow cards, but Switzerland picked up four, including one for their goalkeeper Diego BENAGLIO, breaking the goalkeepers' run of good behaviour this tournament.
But it was South African goalie Itumeleng KHUNE who really ruined the goalies' profiles as he gained a straight red card for his conduct in their game against Uruguay. Finally we had a player who scored two goals, as well-known Diego FORLAN scored in the 23rd minute, and then with a penalty in the 80th minute. This makes him the current top scorer in the 2010 World Cup.
Goals per game: Mean – 1.647, Median – 2, Mode – 1,2, Range - 4
Cards per game: Mean – 3.47, Median – 3, Mode – 3, Range – 6
Tomorrow, we see France take on Mexico (and hopefully play better) as a David-and-Goliath battle takes place in the form of Argentina on South Korea. Data to come on the country the goalscorers play in.
PS: Each day of the weak I'm going to release different data. Monday: Cards and goals of the different positions. Tuesday: Ages of goalscorers. Wednesday: Times of goals in matches. Thursday: Countries that goalscorers usually play in. Friday: How many own goals/penalties/other goals. Saturday: Ages of card receivers. Sunday: Card statistics (yellows/two yellows/reds).
11/06/2010
Day One: 11/6/2010
The surprise is: France fail to shine!
What do you think about vuvuzelas? I want one, but being an Englishwoman in Scotland, I'd not get one with an England flag on it. The vuvuzelas sound awesome the first time you hear them. After a while, however, your brain is filled with the sound and you start to get a headache. According to Wikipedia, they can get up to 127 decibels! A few vuvuzela stats:
50,000 were shipped to the UK before the World Cup. On the day it was announced that South Africa would host the World Cup, 20,000 were sold in the country. They are incredibly popular, multicoloured things that even children find easy to play, and sound like a horde of angry bees. However, they have been part of South African tradition for ages. We will certainly be hearing more of these in the future – both at football matches, and in the news.
Back to the game. First, South Africa versus Mexico. It seemed like a relatively boring game, but at least goals were scored! Four yellow cards were given out, two per team. Mexico used all three of their substitutes, while South Africa only used two.
South African goalscorer Siphiwe TSHABALALA (yes, I did copy-and-paste his name) is 25 years old, and plays for the Kaizer Chiefs! Yep, the band really is named after a South African football team. I didn't know that either. He was also named man of the match.
Mexican goalscorer Rafael MARQUEZ is slightly older, at 31, and plays in Spain for Barcelona, so you know he's good. Unfortunately, one good player does not a good team make, which is why Mexico's international reputation needs a bit of work.
In the second game, France and Uruguay were disappointing – especially France, who you'd expect to do well. They came to a 0-0 draw. All-in-all, seven yellow cards were given out, one of which was a second yellow that got a Uruguayan sent off.
The sent-off Uruguayan is Nicolas LODEIRO, who's only 21 years old! He plays for Ajax in the Netherlands, and has only played five games for Uruguay. It looks like that won't be increasing any time in the future, since he received his second yellow.
There was an Asian flavour to the refereeing in this match, with Japanese referee NISHIMURA Yuichi. He is 38, and the Fifa website lists his hobbies as 'golf'. He's into his seventh year of refereeing. His first assistant is also Japanese, and the other is South Korean.
Goals per game: Mean – 1, Median – 1, Mode – 0,2, Range - 2
Cards per game: Mean – 5.5, Median – 5.5, Mode – 4,7, Range - 3
Tomorrow: Three games! Group B kicks off, along with the first half of group C.
What do you think about vuvuzelas? I want one, but being an Englishwoman in Scotland, I'd not get one with an England flag on it. The vuvuzelas sound awesome the first time you hear them. After a while, however, your brain is filled with the sound and you start to get a headache. According to Wikipedia, they can get up to 127 decibels! A few vuvuzela stats:
50,000 were shipped to the UK before the World Cup. On the day it was announced that South Africa would host the World Cup, 20,000 were sold in the country. They are incredibly popular, multicoloured things that even children find easy to play, and sound like a horde of angry bees. However, they have been part of South African tradition for ages. We will certainly be hearing more of these in the future – both at football matches, and in the news.
Back to the game. First, South Africa versus Mexico. It seemed like a relatively boring game, but at least goals were scored! Four yellow cards were given out, two per team. Mexico used all three of their substitutes, while South Africa only used two.
South African goalscorer Siphiwe TSHABALALA (yes, I did copy-and-paste his name) is 25 years old, and plays for the Kaizer Chiefs! Yep, the band really is named after a South African football team. I didn't know that either. He was also named man of the match.
Mexican goalscorer Rafael MARQUEZ is slightly older, at 31, and plays in Spain for Barcelona, so you know he's good. Unfortunately, one good player does not a good team make, which is why Mexico's international reputation needs a bit of work.
In the second game, France and Uruguay were disappointing – especially France, who you'd expect to do well. They came to a 0-0 draw. All-in-all, seven yellow cards were given out, one of which was a second yellow that got a Uruguayan sent off.
The sent-off Uruguayan is Nicolas LODEIRO, who's only 21 years old! He plays for Ajax in the Netherlands, and has only played five games for Uruguay. It looks like that won't be increasing any time in the future, since he received his second yellow.
There was an Asian flavour to the refereeing in this match, with Japanese referee NISHIMURA Yuichi. He is 38, and the Fifa website lists his hobbies as 'golf'. He's into his seventh year of refereeing. His first assistant is also Japanese, and the other is South Korean.
Goals per game: Mean – 1, Median – 1, Mode – 0,2, Range - 2
Cards per game: Mean – 5.5, Median – 5.5, Mode – 4,7, Range - 3
Tomorrow: Three games! Group B kicks off, along with the first half of group C.
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