A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE SUCCESSFUL ATTACKS OF THE FOUR FIRST-PLACED NATIONAL TEAMS AT THE 16TH AND 18TH FIFA WORLD CUP

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine and identify the number of completed successful attacks of the four first-placed teams (France, Brazil, Croatia and Netherlands) at the 1998 16th FIFA World Cup in France and the four first-placed teams (Italy, France, Germany and Portugal) at the 2006 18th FIFA World Cup in Germany, for each team individually. In this research, the samples taken from the population at large can be defined as active, professional, elite players in the regular, biggest, and strongest system of competition - the FIFA World Cup. For the realization of this study, measures of descriptive (frequency distribution) and comparative (X² - test and multiple classification test) statistics were used. The results obtained at both World Championships were analyzed by all the criterion variables and provided the ability to define specific actions that can be recommended for a statistical and systematic monitoring of successful attacks. Based on these results, it is possible to identify the importance of successful attacks (inaccurate, accurate and efficient) in order to achieve maximum competitive success and determine the best ways to set up a methodology of training activities.