Analysis of goals scored in the 2010 world cup soccer tournament held in South Africa

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IntroductionSoccer competitions provide avenues at which players and the coach apply the techniques and tactics acquired. In a competitive soccer match, the teams demonstrate contrasts in techniques and tactics (Docherty, 1978; Njororai, 2000; Wade, 1970; Winterbottom, 1964). Some teams may favor open play with long passes while others may prefer a closely - knit pattern of play. In a test game, the exchanges are so rapid that the observer has little time to study each separate movement of play. The pace of the game, the emotions aroused by the occasion, the partisan spirit of the observer, and the rapid succession of activities makes it difficult for a coach to give an objective and critical analysis of the factors underlying play (Armata et. al., 2007a, b; Njororai, 2000; Winterbottom, 1964). According to Winterbottom (1964) critical assessment of an individual or a team's performance requires not only a sound technical knowledge of the game, but also a disciplined mind in order to focus on separate factors. To overcome the deficiencies of mental analysis, an objective evaluation instrument is necessary (Hughes, 1995; Reilly, 1994). Proper analysis of performance enables the coach to retain and develop what is good and improve what a team is deficient in (Winterbottom, 1964). The coach uses the data to communicate to the players with regard to the level of play and the set objectives. Such data also provides feedback for motivation and further improvement of performance (Hughes, 1995). One critical area to match outcome requiring scrutiny is the goal scoring pattern.Scoring of goals in the game of association football or soccer is one of the most exciting aspects of the game (Mal, 1982; Mayes, 1975). Spectators love goals and players who manage to put the ball in the net also celebrate uncontrollably. Scoring of goals determines whether a team wins or loses a game. This is because the object of the game is to score goals even as you strive to stop your opponent from scoring. The football world cup tournament represents the pinnacle of the game globally. It is a dream of a player to, not only take part in the world cup final tournament but also, win it and be crowned as a world champion. Association football (soccer) is one of the most popular sports, with more than 265 million players worldwide and 207 national associations affiliated to FIFA (FIFA, 2007). The climax on the calendar is the international competition that all countries throughout the world can participate in - FIFA World Cup, an international football competition contested by the men's national football teams of the member nations of Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the global governing body of football. This championship has been held every four years since the first tournament in 1930 with the exceptions in 1942 and 1946 due to World War II (Wong, 2008).To determine the participating teams in the finals tournament, qualifying rounds take place during the preceding three years. They are held within six FIFA continental zones overseen by their respective confederations: the Asian Football Confederation (AFC); the Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF); the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF); the Confederacion Sudamericana de Futbol (CONMEBOL), the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and the Union Europeenne des Associations de Football (UEFA) (FIFA, 2011; Wong, 2008). The finals tournament features 32 teams competing over a month in the host nation(s). There are two stages: a group stage, followed by a knockout stage. In the group stage, teams compete within eight groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group qualify to the knockout stage, which is a single-match elimination tournament (Wong, 2008). The knockout stage begins with the round of 16 where the winners of each group play the runner-up of another group. This is followed by the quarterfinals, the semifinals, the third-place match (contested by the losing semifinalists) and the final. …