Midfield Players Research Articles

Factors affecting the market value of football players in the Indonesian League

The development of accounting science, especially in human resource accounting (HRA), has progressed rapidly. The understanding of human resources (HR) as a vital asset that has an important role in the success of an organization is growing. This research focuses on measuring the market value of professional football players in the Indonesian League by considering individual performance, especially for players who play as central midfielders. Football players, recognized as intangible assets, have a market value that is closely related to their contribution on the field. The research method used is quantitative with a descriptive approach, examining the relationship between performance variables (goals, assists, number of appearances, yellow cards, and red cards) to player market value. The research data was obtained through secondary data sources from the transfermarkt.co.id website with a sample of 52 Indonesian central midfield players in the 2023 season. The results showed that goals, assists, and number of appearances had a significant influence on the player's market value. Assists and number of appearances show a very strong influence on player prices, while yellow cards and red cards do not show a significant influence. This research provides important insights for football club management in determining the market value of players as part of financial reporting and investment decision-making, and enriches the study of human resource accounting in the football industry. The findings also show the importance of players' positive on-field contributions, such as assists and performances, in determining their market value, beyond disciplinary factors such as yellow and red cards.

The association between force–velocity profiles and the parameters from the 3-min all-out running test in university level soccer players

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to explore the relationship between force–velocity (FV) profiles and parameters obtained from the 3-min all-out running test (3MT) to uncover essential connections for enhancing athletic training methodologies in university-level male soccer players. Methods Forty-nine athletes (age: 19.26 ± 1.17 years) voluntarily participated in this investigation, undergoing assessments of fitness by completing the 3MT and a 40-m sprint test. Results D′ exhibited moderate correlations with high-speed parameters such as v0 (r = 0.48, p < 0.001), T40-m (r = − 0.48, p < 0.001) and the functional speed reserve (FSR) (r = 0.62, p < 0.001). The FSR yielded the strongest capacity for predicting D′ (β = 38, adj-R2 = 0.38, p < 0.001). Positional differences were only evident for maximal sprint speed between forward and midfield players (Mdiff = 0.41 m/s, p = 0.007), but not for other 3MT or FV parameters. Maximal horizontal sprinting speed rather than maximal horizontal sprinting force (F0) significantly mapped on to the speed–time curve of the 3MT (r > 0.60, p = 0.031). Conclusion Our findings shed light on the complex interplay between anaerobic performance parameters, high-speed running, and endurance capacity within the framework of D′. Evidence concerning enhancements in D′ presents greater ambiguity compared to improving CS but imply that D′ is, on the one hand, contextually dependent on maximal speed parameters, and on the other, comprised of parameters that are likely more aerobic in nature. For training, players should be clustered according to performance metrics (e.g., FSR, CS) rather than positional group.

It is not (all) about running faster, opponent also plays; the effect of opposition team formation on running performance in professional soccer match-play

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effect of opponent team formation on physical performance during professional soccer matches. Physical performance was measured from all teams (n = 32) in all UEFA Champions League matches (n = 125) during the 2022/23 season. Metrics included total distance (TD) and running at low- (LIR), moderate (MIR), and high-intensities (HIR). Data were obtained using an optical tracking system and were compared in relation to opponent team formation: 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 3-4-3, and 3-5-2. Results indicated that (i) central defenders (CDs) in teams organised in 3-5-2 performed more HIR (d = 0.52) against 4-2-3-1 compared to 3-4-3 system; also, in teams organised in 4-2-3-1, CDs covered more TD (d = 0.57) and HIR (d = 0.58) against 4-2-3-1 compared to 4-3-3; (ii) central midfielders (CMs) in teams organised in 3-4-3 performed more HIR against 3-4-3 compared to 4-2-3-1 (d = 0.82) and 4-3-3 (d = 0.81); also, in teams organised in 4-2-3-1, CMs performed more HIR (d = 0.56) against 3-5-2 compared to 3-4-3; (iii) fullbacks involved in teams organised in 4-2-3-1 covered more HIR (d = 0.84) against 3-5-2 compared to 3-4-3. Physical performance in defensive and midfield players was notably affected by opponent team formation. As such, team selection policy and physical preparation strategies for matches against specific formations should arguably be tailored accordingly.

Low Rates of Return to Sport and Reduction in Performance Following Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures in Athletes Participating in Major League Soccer

Category: Sports; Other Introduction/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess outcomes following acute Achilles tendon ruptures (AATR) sustained by athletes participating in the Major League Soccer (MLS). Methods: Athletes participating in the MLS who sustained an AATR were identified using a publicly available database, match reports and injury reports. The years of inclusion was from 2008-2022. Data collected and analysed: player demographics, player position, if surgical intervention was warranted, rates of return to play (RTP), time to return to play, games missed. Pre-injury and post-injury performance outcomes collected and analysed: games played, assists, goals, passes, pass %, crosses, shots, shots on target and shot %. Results: Twenty-six athletes sustained an AATR in the MLS (0.008564 per 10,000 athlete-exposures). The mean age was 25.8±8.4 years and the mean BMI was 22.5±6.6kg/m2. There were 15 (57.7%) AATRs sustained by defensive players, 5 (19.2%) AATRs sustained by midfield players, 3 (11.6%) AATR sustained by forwards and 3 (11.6%) AATR sustained by goalkeepers. All athletes (100%) underwent surgical intervention. The mean number of games played prior to injury was 164.7±154.9. The RTP rate to the MLS was 73.1% at mean time of 11.1±5.5 months. The mean number of games missed due to injury was with 30.1±11.7 games. There was a statistically significant decrease in the mean number of games played, goals scored and shots taken following RTP. Conclusion: This current study found that AATRs were an uncommon injury in the MLS with an incidence of 0.008564 per 10,000 athlete-exposures. Sustaining an AATR was associated with a 73.1% return to play rate to the MLS at a mean time of 11.1 ± 5.5 months. There was a statistically significant deterioration in key performance metrics such as mean games played, goals scored and shots taken. This study reinforces the potentially devastating sequelae following AATR in the elite athletic population.

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES OF YOUNG FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN CORRELATION WITH THEIR PLAYING POSITIONS

The aim of this study is to examine the differences in height, weight, and body mass index values among young amateur football players according to their positions and try to put forth the significance of these differences in talent selection and in establishing a general anthropometric profile of a football team. A total of 121 youth football players from the Nevşehir U17 amateur league in Türkiye participated in the research, during which their body height, weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI) were measured. When the study results were examined, goalkeepers obtained better values in the height variable compared to defenders, midfielders, and forwards. The lowest height values were found among midfield players, while defenders and forwards had similar values. In terms of weight variable, goalkeepers were found to have higher weight compared to players in other positions. Midfielders had the lowest weight among the groups. As for the body mass index variable, goalkeepers again reached the highest values, while midfielders had the lowest values. These findings indicate that the anthropometric characteristics of players at the U17 level vary depending on their playing positions. This observation suggests that the anthropometric features of players may differ based on the tactical aspects of the game. Football practitioners can leverage these study findings to gain a comprehensive understanding and interpretation of anthropometric characteristics and their implications for player positions. Furthermore, this knowledge can aid in providing tailored training programs aimed at evaluating and enhancing soccer-specific skills in relation to these factors. Awareness of these observed differences could also contribute to the early selection of promising players.

Visual exploratory activity in elite women’s soccer: an analysis of the UEFA Women’s European Championship 2022

ABSTRACT Recent research has developed understanding of the technical and tactical determinants of success in elite women’s soccer, however a lack of research exists on analysing how elite female players visually explore their environment to support skilled soccer performance. This study aimed to describe the visual exploratory activity (VEA) of elite female central midfield players and understand the relationships between VEA, performance with the ball and specific contextual and situational factors. Thirty female central midfield players (M age = 26.7 years, SD = 3.8) from the eight teams who competed in the knock-out stages of UEFA Women’s European Championship 2022 were analysed. Television broadcast and UEFA tactical footage were combined to analyse players across the seven knock-out stage matches, totalling 1,038 individual ball possessions. The mean scan frequency before receiving the ball was 0.35 scans/second. Results showed pitch location when receiving the ball to be the main predictor of scan frequency, which in turn predicted action result (p = 0.003) and turn with the ball (p = 0.003). Scan frequencies were lower compared to men’s elite and academy players. This study sets a platform for experimental research to further our understanding of VEA and performance with the ball in women’s soccer.

Artificial Turf Increases the Physical Demand of Soccer by Heightening Match Running Performance Compared with Natural Grass.

Modric, T, Esco, M, Perkovic, S, Basic, Z, Versic, S, Morgans, R, and Sekulic, D. Artificial turf increases the physical demand of soccer by heightening match running performance compared with natural grass. J Strength Cond Res 37(11): 2222-2228, 2023-This study aimed to determine differences in match running performance (MRP) of elite soccer players (n = 31) during matches played on artificial turf (AT) and natural grass (NG). The players' MRP (AT; 131 observations, NG; 135 observations) were collected during official matches (n = 32) using global positioning system and classified according to their playing positions as central defenders, central midfielders, fullbacks, forwards, and wingers. The MRP variables included total distance covered (TD), low-intensity running (LIR), moderate-intensity running (MIR), high-intensity running (HIR), total (Tacc) and high-intensity accelerations (Hacc), and total (Tdec) and high-intensity decelerations (Hdec). The influence of match outcome, location, and opponent quality was controlled for as contextual factors. Playing matches on AT resulted in (a) increased TD (Cohen's d (d) = 0.55, 0.61, and 0.28, respectively), MIR (d = 0.91, 0.79, and 0.49, respectively), and HIR (d = 0.67, 0.44, and 0.38, respectively) for central defenders, central midfielders, fullbacks; (b) increased Tacc (d = 0.38, 0.37, and 0.4, respectively) and Tdec (d = 0.31, 0.34, and 0.31, respectively) for central defenders, central midfielders, and wingers; and (c) decreased Hdec (d = -1.5) for forwards. These results show that playing on AT is more physically demanding for defensive and midfield players than playing on NG. Soccer coaches should consider implementing preparatory strategies that mitigate the increased demands of playing on AT for these players, especially before a competitive period when transitions between pitch surfaces routinely occur.

Analysis of Physical Performance Parameters According to Playing Positions of Amputee Football Players

This study examines the physical performance parameters of amputee football players during a season according to their playing positions. A total of 16 amputee football players participated in this study. Hand grip strength, back, leg, arm strength, visual reaction, 10-20-30m sprint, flexibility tests, resting heart rate, and maximal heart rate measurements performed at the beginning, mid-season, and the end of the season. Seasonally significant differences were determined in defenders' left-hand grip, back, leg, and arm strength tests, and 10-20-30m sprint test scores. Moreover, seasonal significant differences were found in the test scores of the back, leg, arm strength, right-hand visual reaction, 10-20-30m sprint, and flexibility of midfield players. Significant differences were found in strikers' right- and left-hand grip, back, leg, and arm strength, and 20-30m sprints test mean scores. It was determined that the annual training plan had different positive contributions to the players' physical performance according to their playing positions. During the competition season, performance changes were determined by the midfielders' reaction, strength, flexibility, and sprint and the strength and sprint performance of the forwards and defenders.

Mitochondria are midfield players in steroid synthesis.

Steroids are important membrane components and signaling metabolites and thus are required for cellular homeostasis. All mammalian cells retain the ability to uptake and synthesize steroids. Dysregulation of steroid levels leads to profound effects on cellular function and organismal health. Hence it comes as no surprise that steroid synthesis is tightly regulated. It is well established that the main site for steroid synthesis and regulation is the endoplasmic reticulum. However, mitochondria are essential for: (1) cholesterol production (the precursor of all steroids) by exporting citrate and; (2) the products of steroidogenesis (such as mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids). In this review, we describe the midfield player role of mitochondria in steroid synthesis and bring the idea of mitochondria actively participating in steroid synthesis regulation. A better understanding of the mitochondrial regulatory roles in steroid synthesis would open new avenues to targeted approaches aiming to control steroid levels.

Perbedaan kemampuan shooting pemain depan, tengah, dan belakang pada tim sepakbola liga 3 Persikama

This study aims to investigate and determine the quality differences in the shooting ability of Persikama's forwards, midfield players, and defenders. The core of the problem of this study is that the difference in shooting ability between the front, middle and back players is unknown, researchers measure aspects of accuracy and speed. This research is of a quantitative type with a comparative descriptive method because it compares the shooting abilities of soccer players in 3 different positions. The number of subjects of this study were 15 players. Researchers used observation and shooting ability tests as data collection instruments. The data analysis technique used to test the hypothesis is ANOVA. Based on the results of the study, the order of accuracy of the first player's shooting ability from the best is the midfielder, defender and forward player. While the order of the speed of the best shooting ability is the front player, the back player, and the mid player. Although the results of the ANOVA test prove that the probability value obtained for each is more than a significance value of 0.05, thus indicating or concluding that there is no significant difference in the shooting abilities of the fore-players, midfield players and persikama defenders.

Relationship between the occurrence of cards, playing position and situational variables in starter and non-starter players in the Brazilian soccer first division championship

Purpose.To evaluate the moderating effect of the match starting status in the association of playing position and situational variables with the occurrence of punitive cards during Brazilian first-division soccer matches over three consecutive seasons.Methods.The present study evaluated 1,140 matches in three seasons of the Brazilian first-division soccer championship (2018, 2019 and 2020). This is a descriptive correlational study with a case-control design.Results.Over the three seasons, 5,490 cards were distributed. Match starting status moderated the association of the outcome with the playing position, current and final ranking position, season, match exposure time and minutes played. The starter’s midfield players were more likely (OR: 1.244, 95% CI: 1.155 to 1.341) to receive a card and forward players were less likely (OR: 0.912, 95% CI: 0.830 to 1.003) to receive a card than the defenders. The starter’s players were less likely to receive a card in the 2019 (OR: 0.889, 95% CI: 0.822 to 0.961) and 2020 (OR: 0.827, 95% CI: 0.764 to 0.896) seasons than in the 2018 season. Their (OR: 0.776, 95% CI: 0.532 to 1.140) and the non-starter’s (OR: 0.491, 95% CI: 0.210 to 1.272) players were less likely to receive a card when the match ended with goal difference (GD) 2 goals between the two teams. The nonstarter’s (OR: 1.136, 95% CI: 0.872 to 1.478) players received more cards when exposed to 25–50% of the total playing time. The match location was not associated with the occurrence of cards.Conclusions.The association of playing position and situational variables with the occurrence of cards is moderated by the players’ starting status (starter and non-starter) in the Brazilian first-division soccer championship.

Position Premium in Major League Soccer

Abstract: This research estimates the effect of specific player position on salary in Major League Soccer. We expand a mincer-style wage equation with indicators for precise roles as defined by the Football Manager™ simulation. Our salary data covers 1,174 salaries for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. We match this to 17 positions and consider generalist and specialist functions in wage determination. Estimating ordinary least squares and quantile regressions, we find that defensive salary penalties are incurred only by specific peripheral defensive and wing back positions. Premia exist for versatile, attacking midfield players. We show that multi-positional players—those that play in multiple positional zones—earn a premium. The findings bring nuance to any specialist-generalist debate as versatile defensive players incur a penalty whereas versatile attacking midfield players earn a premium. Practically, the results speak to player unions, intermediaries advising players on their developmental needs, and franchises who must optimize salary budgets.

Relationships between personality traits and perception of tactical knowledge in Brazilian female field hockey players

The present study aimed to investigate the relationships between personality traits and tactical knowledge of field hockey players. The sample consisted of 53 Brazilian female field hockey athletes. The collection instruments were the Big Five Personality Factors Inventory, the Self-Assessment Inventory of Tactical Skills in Collective Sports Games, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. The data were treated according to descriptive and correlational statistics. Percentage values were calculated when the variables showed significant differences. The normality and homogeneity of the data were verified by the Shapiro-Wilk and Levene tests, respectively. The partial correlation test, controlled by the position of the players, was used to analyze associations between the variables. A one-way ANOVA was applied to compare participants’ age and practice time with their field positions. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the positions of the players. The value of p<.05 was adopted for statistical significance. As a result, a moderate positive correlation was obtained between practice time and age; a moderate negative correlation of Neuroticism with age and practice time; moderate positive correlations between practice time and declarative and procedural knowledge. The Openness exhibited moderate positive correlations with declarative and procedural knowledge. The midfield players had higher scores in Extraversion when compared to the defensive players. In Agreeableness, the midfield players had higher scores when compared to defense and attack. The study allowed concluding that Openness was associated with the tactical knowledge domain.

Scanning activity of elite football players in 11 vs. 11 match play: An eye-tracking analysis on the duration and visual information of scanning.

Visual perception in football ("soccer" in the U.S.) is increasingly becoming a key area of interest for researchers and practitioners. This exploratory case study investigated a sub-set of visual perception, namely visual exploratory scanning. The aim of this study was to examine the scanning of four elite football midfield players in an 11 vs. 11 real-game environment using mobile eye-tracking technology. More specifically, we measured the duration and information (number of teammates and opponents) of the players' scanning behavior. The results showed that the players' scanning duration was influenced by the ball context and the action undertaken with the ball at the moment of scan initiation. Furthermore, fixations were found in only 2.3% of the scans. Additionally, the results revealed that the stop point is the most information-rich part of a scan and that the players had more opponents than teammates inside their video frame during scans. Practical applications and further research recommendations are presented.

Comparison of Emotional Intelligence and Mental Toughness of Youth Soccer Players in Terms of Position and Soccer Experience Variables

The aim of this research was the comparison of mental toughness (MT) and emotional intelligence (EI) of youth soccer players based on their soccer experience and player positions. Participants of the study composed of totally 458 youth male soccer players who are between 17-20 years old (x̅=17,75) and 1-14 (x̅=7,22) years of soccer experiences. Data obtained by using demographic questionnaire, Sport Mental Toughness Questionnaire (MTIS), and Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQ). According to homogeneity and normality test results, The One-way ANOVA was used for the analysis of data. The findings demonstrated that there is no significant difference between sports age and position variables in terms of MT. In addition, results indicated that soccer experience make differences on well-being and emotionality subscales of TEIQ. Besides, according to player positions and TEIQ subscales, there were significant differences between sociability. In conclusion, soccer experience is one of the factors that influence well-being and emotionality positively. Moreover, it observed that midfield players’ social abilities are higher than winger players and defensive midfield players.

The Effect of Contextual Variables on Match Performance across Different Playing Positions in Professional Portuguese Soccer Players.

This study investigated the position-specific physical demands of professional Portuguese players. The effects of situational variables on the physical performance demands were also analysed (match location, match half and match result). Match performance observations were collected using Global Navigation Satellite System devices across 11 matches during a competitive season (2019–2020). Data were analysed according to five playing positions: goalkeepers (n = 11), central defenders (n = 42), wide defenders (n = 31), central midfielders (n = 34), open attackers (n = 28), and centre forwards (n = 14). Central midfield players completed the greatest total distance (10,787 ± 1536 m), while central defenders covered the least distance (9272 ± 455; p < 0.001). Open attackers covered the greatest high and very-high-speed distance (1504 ± 363 m), number of high-speed decelerations per match (11 ± 4) and were the fastest players (30.6 ± 1.5 km/h), along with center forwards (30.6 ± 2.0 km/h), versus all other positions (p < 0.05). Greater distances were performed in teams that were winning (9978 ± 1963 m) or drawing (10,395 ± 875 m) versus losing (9415 ± 2050) p = 0.036 and p = 0.006, respectively. Increases in distance covered at walking speeds were observed during the 2nd half (1574 ± 179 m) compared with the 1st half (1483 ± 176; (p < 0.003). A higher number of decelerations across all speeds were performed in the 1st half (144 ± 39) versus the 2nd half (135 ± 37). The distance covered in home matches (10,206 ± 1926 m) far exceeded away matches (9471 ± 1932 m; p < 0.001). The number of faster accelerations were higher in away (7 ± 5) versus home matches (6 ± 4; p < 0.049). The data demonstrate the different physical demands of each playing position and suggest that situational variables influence physical performance. These findings suggest position-specific physical training is required to condition players for the bespoke demands of each playing position.

Physical and Physiological Characteristics of Cameroon Professional Soccer Players According to Their Competitive Level and Playing Position

The present study aimed to determine the physical performances and physiological aptitudes of the soccer players of the first (L1) and second (L2) leagues of the Cameroon professional championship. One hundred and seventy-five male professional soccer players, including 91from L1and 84 from L2, participated in the study. Their age, anthropometric parameters (height and weight), physical performances (short-distances sprint times, squat jump) and physiological parameters such as maximum oxygen consumption (VO_2max), blood lactate accumulation (BLA) and heart rate (HR) were assessed. No significant age difference was observed between of L1 and L2 (23.3±3.6 vs 23.64±1.00 years) soccer players. L1 soccer players were taller and heavier than those of L2. According to the playing position, a significant difference in weight (76.0±7.6 vs 72.2±8.2 kg) and height (179.1±7.2 vs 175.8±7.3 cm) was observed between L1 and L2 midfield players. VO_2max of L2 players (56.4±6.9mlO₂/L/kg) was better than that of L1 players (53.8±4.3 mlO₂/L/kg), as well as the BLA (8.2±2.3vs 9.7±2.9 mmol/L). L2attackers showed significant higher VO_2max (<i>p<0.05</i>) compared to L1 players at the same position. The BLA rate was higher (<i>p</i><0.01) in midfielders compared to defenders or attackers in each league. Soccer players of L1 were heavier, taller and had better physical aptitude with lower physiological response compared to those of L2. Globally, male Cameroon professional soccer players have average age of 23.4±3,8 years; high of 177.4±7,2 cm and weight 74.1±7.9 kg. These findings suggest that male Cameroon professional soccer players have good physical characteristic but lower physiological aptitudes. This may explain the poor performance of local teams during international competitions.

What Do Football Players Look at? An Eye-Tracking Analysis of the Visual Fixations of Players in 11 v 11 Elite Football Match Play.

Current knowledge of gaze behavior in football has primarily originated from eye-tracking research in laboratory settings. Using eye-tracking with elite players in a real-world 11 v 11 football game, this exploratory case study examined the visual fixations of midfield players in the Norwegian premier league. A total of 2,832 fixations by five players, aged 17–23 years (M = 19.84), were analyzed. Our results show that elite football midfielders increased their fixation duration when more information sources became available to them. Additionally, participants used shorter fixation durations than previously reported in laboratory studies. Furthermore, significant differences in gaze behavior between the attack and defense phases were found for both areas of interest and fixation location. Lastly, fixation locations were mainly on the ball, opponent, and teammate category and the player in possession of the ball. Combined, the results of this study enhance the knowledge of how elite footballers use their vision when playing under actual match-play conditions. They also suggest that laboratory designs may not be able to capture the dynamic environment that footballers experience in competition.

The pass efficiency of midfield players is correlated with goals scored in modern football

In modern football, having the ball is not tantamount to success. Following this study, we aim to analyse the efficiency of passes transmitted by the players specialised in the position of midfielder, referring specifically to some characteristic indicators of passes: direction, accuracy, distribution. It should be noted that this study was conducted on a football team in the Professional Championship of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The research consisted in analysing the performance of midfielders in official games and establishing a relationship between the aforementioned characteristic indicators of passes and the concrete way in which the team created opportunities to score or scored goals. Thus, after determining the limits and capabilities of the team and players, we scheduled, in each training microcycle, the means to increase the efficiency of passes transmitted by the players specialised in the midfielder position. In particular, we used some means to get the midfielders to transmit the ball forward, from as few touches as possible, in the free space or directly to the striker. All means were designed for a dual purpose: technical and tactical. In conclusion, we can say that the direction, accuracy, and distribution of passes transmitted by the midfielders have a decisive role in creating opportunities and scoring goals.

Dietary Intake and Body Composition Characteristics of National Football League Players

Background: It has been well documented that adequate body composition characteristics and good nutrition practices play significant roles in maintaining good health, proper immune functioning, muscle growth and repair, and delaying fatigue in continuously intense athletic performance. It would be incumbent, however, to support imported information with local data to enhance effective implementation. Objectives: To examine dietary intake and body composition characteristics of National Football League Players in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Methods: Cross-sectional study was used. 95 football players from the premier, 1st and 2nd divisions of the Ghana National Football League were recruited. A 24-hour dietary recall was used to assess the dietary intake of the players. Body composition characteristics of body mass index, percentage (%) body fat, visceral fat and percentage (%) muscle mass were measured. Results: There were 8 (9.3%) goalkeepers, 29 (33.7%) defenders, 34 (39.5%) midfielders and 15 (17.4%) strikers. 42 (44.2%) of the players ate twice per day. Players within age group of 20 - 25 (49, 51.6%) had the highest mean total energy intake (2342.96 ± 848.18), carbohydrates (324.18 ± 106.35), proteins (75.54 ± 23.94) and fats (83.00 ± 50.76). Midfield players had the highest mean total energy intake (2216.26 ± 803.87), carbohydrates (315.74 ± 121.02), proteins (74.23 ± 26.35) and fats (71.59 ± 34.32). 82 (86.3%) had normal weight, 79 (83.2%) normal % body fat, 45 (47.4%) had very high % muscle mass. Conclusions: The sample in this study has low total energy intake compared to other studies. Insufficient nutritional diets could suggest the reason for the low energy intake. If low energy intake persists, the players might be at high risk of chronic cardiovascular diseases and diabetes conditions.