Match outcome vs match status and frequency of selected technical activities of soccer players during UEFA Euro 2016

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe study aimed to examine the performance frequency of selected technical activities by soccer teams playing in the UEFA EURO 2016 in relation to match outcome and match status. Thirty-six matches of the group stage were analysed. The data were retrieved using an OPTA Sportsdata Company system. The notated technical activities: shots, passes, were expressed as frequency of performance (playing time/number of activities); while ball possession was expressed in percentage terms. There was a large effect size in frequency of shots on target (η2 = 0.201), of shots from inside the penalty area (η2 = 0.163) in relation to match outcome. A medium effect size was then found in frequency of passes (η2 = 0.102), short passes (η2 = 0.060) and ball possession (η2 = 0.113) in relation to match status. A team’s playing effectiveness requires a concurrent scrutiny of players’ technical activities in relation to match outcome and match status. Key technical activities affecting a successful match outcome are frequencies of different types of shots. However, when the team is playing to change an unfavourable score (losing and drawing in match status), the most important are frequencies of different types of passes and higher percent of ball possession.