World Cup Matches Research Articles

Comparison of network processes between successful and unsuccessful offensive sequences in elite soccer

AbstractPurpose. The study aimed to compare social network analysis (SNA) general measures and centrality levels of successful and unsuccessful offensive sequences performed by elite national teams in 64 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2014 tournament and to compare the level of centrality between playing positions. Methods. Adjacency matrices of passing sequences within an offensive unit were built and treated in a dedicated SNA software. Results. The main results indicated significantly lower values of total links and network density in successful sequences in comparison with unsuccessful ones in the teams that achieved the round of 8, semifinals, and the final. The comparisons between playing positions revealed that forwards showed the highest values of indegree centrality (balls received) and that midfielders presented the highest values of outdegree centrality (ball passed) in both successful and unsuccessful offensive units. Midfielders also exhibited the highest values of betweenness centrality (intermediation between teammates) in unsuccessful sequences and forwards in successful ones. Conclusions. Greater cooperation among teammates may not be determinant for successful sequences. Forwards are the prominent players to receive the ball and intermediate the passing sequence in offenses that end in a goal.

Major Sporting Events and National Identification

Research suggests that major sporting events can affect identification with the nation-state. Complementing previous research, it is argued in this article that identification with the national in-group should be enhanced especially among emotionally involved spectators. Emotional involvement, however, can be induced by the sport itself but also by an emotionalized framing of the events by the media. Two studies are presented which test these claims: In Study #1, it is shown that a single, victorious Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup match suffices to increase national identification among emotionally highly involved subjects, whereas no effects are revealed for individuals with lower emotional involvement. In Study #2, participants reported higher levels of national identification and associated Germany with more positive emotions and values after watching a highly emotional and patriotic broadcast of a kayak competition from the 2016 Summer Olympic Games compared to individuals who had watched the same competition with a factual and neutral commentary. It is concluded from both studies that emotional involvement is a key mechanism through which higher levels of national identification are produced in the realm of sport.

Northernness, Sheffield and the 1966 World Cup: The “Steel City” on Display

ABSTRACTDuring summer 1966 global attention turned to the manufacturing centre of Sheffield as “Steel City” played host to a number of FIFA World Cup matches. The tournament has been romanticised by the press as a key national triumph following England's victory, whilst sport historians have critiqued the event's cultural, economic, political and social impact. This article contends that this major sporting event served as a platform for articulating and experiencing the provincial north of England by highlighting how post-war Sheffield utilised the 1966 World Cup to promote multiple identities spanning that of a traditional, northern industrial centre to one of a modern, forward-thinking city.

Effects of a red card on goal-scoring in World Cup football matches

We examine the effect of the sending-off of a player on the goal-scoring rates in FIFA World Cup matches in tournaments from 1998 to 2014. We use a hazard rate framework in which the effect of a red card is modeled as a shift in the goal-scoring rate. A red card may harm the team that receives a red card and may be beneficial for their opponent. Indeed, we find that the goal-scoring rate of the sanctioned team goes down, while the goal-scoring rate of the non-sanctioned team goes up.

The Pitch Rather Than the Pit: Investor Inattention, Trading Activity, and FIFA World Cup Matches

This paper analyzes stock market trading in 15 countries during the 2010 and 2014 soccer FIFA World Cups. We find evidence for substantial investor inattention during these major sporting events. The lack of attention for the trading pit is particularly large when the national soccer team is competing, with traded volumes declining by as much as 48%. During national team matches, prices on local stock markets can temporarily decouple from global financial market developments. These findings suggest that major sporting events can act as a laboratory in which to investigate investor inattention.

“O CHORO DO CAPITÃO”: NOTAS SOBRE PERFORMATIVIDADES DE GÊNERO E MASCULINIDADES NO FUTEBOL PROFISSIONAL

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar as construções discursivas midiáticas na web sobre as condutas e o “choro emocionado” do capitão da seleção brasileira masculina de futebol, Thiago Silva, no jogo da Copa do Mundo FIFA 2014 entre Brasil e Chile. Para tal, selecionamos reportagens e comentários de internautas em dois sites esportivos nacionais de elevada audiência no período do evento. As interpretações foram realizadas com base na técnica de análise de conteúdo e aportadas em referenciais dos estudos de gênero e masculinidades pós-estruturalistas. As condutas do atleta na mídia foram associadas a processos de “descontrole” e “despreparo” psicológico, materializados no choro, resultando na “inadequação” à posição de capitão, com consequente perda de status e poder. Os discursos ancoram-se nos processos de normalização das masculinidades e da naturalização de ideais viris e heteronormativos no futebol, em que o “controle” das emoções, a supressão do choro e a heterossexualidade ocupam centralidade.

Predicting the Winner of Games in World Cup Soccer Matches

In this research, statistical models were developed that can be used to predict the outcomes of World Cup soccer matches. Least squares regression and logistic regression techniques were used in the development of the models using data from the 2006 World Cup Matches. The models were tested using data from the 2010 World Cup Matches. Predictions were made for the 2014 World Cup Championship assuming no results were known ahead of time.

Interwoven Statesmanship and Sports Fandom

Social identification–based theories (fan identification and nationalism) were used to delineate whether degrees of sports fandom and/or national identity are significant predictors for television consumption of the 2014 Fédération Internationale de Football Association World Cup. A national survey of 490 respondents was conducted at three different time periods (10 weeks before the start of the World Cup, the start of the World Cup, and immediately following Team USA’s first World Cup match) to determine whether planned media consumption of the World Cup shifted based on levels of fan identification and nationalized qualities. Using structural equation modeling, increased nationalized qualities across two of the factors (nationalism and internationalism) increased World Cup fan identification, resulting in predicting higher planned television consumption of this international megasporting event. Nationalized identity alone had no significant result on predicting television consumption of international sport. Ramifications for theory, as well as conclusions related to deciphering the complex formulation of national identity and sports fandom, are offered.

Effects of a Red Card on Goal-Scoring in World Cup Football Matches

We examine the effect of the sending-off of a player on the goal-scoring rates in FIFA World Cup matches in tournaments from 1998 to 2014. We use a hazard rate framework in which the effect of a red card is modeled as a shift in the goal-scoring rate. A red card may harm the team that receives a red card and may be beneficial for their opponent. Indeed, we find that the goal-scoring rate of the sanctioned team goes down, while the goal-scoring rate of the non-sanctioned team goes up.

Effects of a Red Card on Goal-Scoring in World Cup Football Matches

We examine the effect of the sending-off of a player on the goal-scoring rates in FIFA World Cup matches in tournaments from 1998 to 2014. We use a hazard rate framework in which the effect of a red card is modeled as a shift in the goal-scoring rate. A red card may harm the team that receives a red card and may be beneficial for their opponent. Indeed, we find that the goal-scoring rate of the sanctioned team goes down, while the goal-scoring rate of the non-sanctioned team goes up.

The effects of ball possession status on physical and technical indicators during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals

ABSTRACTThis study examined the effect of high- (HPBPT) and low-percentage ball possession (LPBPT) on physical and technical indicators during 2014 FIFA World Cup matches. This would enable a regression model to be constructed to further understand the impact of different ball possession (BP) strategies on match performance. Data were collected from 346 international soccer players using a multiple-camera computerised tracking system. Although players in HPBPT covered lower distances (P < 0.01) in total and at low speed compared to LPBPT, this produced a trivial effect size (ES). However, they covered similar distances (P > 0.05) at medium and high speeds. Players in LPBPT covered more distance without BP but less with BP than HPBPT (P < 0.01; ES large). All positions in LPBPT spent less time in the opposing half and attacking third than the players in HPBPT (P < 0.01; ES small–moderate), but all positions in HPBPT completed more short and medium passes than LPBPT (P < 0.01; ES moderate). Players in HPBPT produced more solo runs into the attacking third and penalty area than LPBPT (P < 0.05, ES small). The equation to predict BP from physical and technical indicators highlighted the importance of distances covered (total, with and without BP), time spent in the attacking third and successful short passes during matches. In practical terms, high or low BP does not influence the activity patterns of international matches although HPBPT spend more time in offensive areas of the pitch.

An Analysis of Penalty Kicks in Elite Football Post 1997

The penalty kick in football is a seemingly simplistic play; however, it has increased in complexity since 1997 when the rules changed allowing goalkeepers to move laterally along their goal line before the ball was kicked. Prior to 1997 goalkeepers were required to remain still until the ball was struck. The objective of this study was to determine the importance of the penalty kick in the modern game of football. A retrospective study of the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cup and the 2000, 2004 and 2008 European Championship tournaments was carried out, assessing the importance of the penalty kick in match play and shootouts and the effect of the time of the game on the shooter's success rate. This study demonstrated the conversion rate of penalties was 73% in shootouts and 68% in match play. Significantly more penalties were awarded late in the game: twice as many penalties in the second half than the first and close to four times as many in the fourth quarter vs. the first. Teams awarded penalty kicks during match play won 52%, drew 30% and lost 18% of the time; chances of winning increased to 61% if the penalty was scored, but decreased to 29% if missed. Teams participating in either the World Cup or European Championship final match had roughly a 50% chance of being involved in a penalty shootout during the tournament. Penalty shots and their outcome significantly impact match results in post 1997 football.

Soccer jersey sponsors and the world cup

This paper analyses whether jersey sponsorship has an effect on team performance at FIFA World Cup matches, taking team qualities into account. Team qualities are measured by the Elo-ratings of national soccer teams. We measure the performance of sponsors by comparing the Elo-ratings at the start and the end of World Cup tournaments. The Elo-ratings are used to calculate the expected probabilities of a win during knockout matches and to compare them with the actual outcomes. The results show that in the knockout stages of the World Cup tournaments, national teams sponsored by Adidas perform significantly better than expected, while teams sponsored by other companies, such as Puma or Nike, perform worse. The average advantage per knockout match for the Adidas teams is to raise the probability of winning by 10 percentage points.

Economic, population and political determinants of the 2014 World Cup match results

In this study, it is found that economic, population and political variables are significant determinants of the goal differences in the 2014 football World Cup matches after taking into consideration the football strength of the two teams on the field. It is shown that the strength difference of the two teams had a strong positive non-linear impact on goal differences and that the goal difference increased with strength but at a decreasing rate. Non-linear impact was also evident with regard to the political conditions of one country relative to the rival country. Furthermore, per capita income and population have a positive linear impact. A number of dummy variables were also found to have a non-significant impact on the game results. It was noted that only the variable that relates to the continent of the football teams had a positive impact.

Сравнительный анализ эффективности соревновательной деятельности мужских и женских баскетбольных команд высокой квалификации

Purpose : to expose the specific lines of competition activity and define differences in realization of technique-tactical actions the basketball-players of high class ho playing in woman’s and men’s national teems. Material and Methods : for determination of characteristic features of competition activity of men’s and women’s, there was the analyzed information of competition activity of national teems, taking part in the matches of world cup 2014 years on basket-ball. Information of 24 men’s (240 athletes) and 16 (150 athletes) woman’s basket-ball teems were in general complication analyzed. Methods: analysis of data of the special scientific-methodical literature, pedagogical supervision, analysis of competition activity, an analysis of data is the Internet, methods of mathematical statistics. Results: It is set that on the row of technique-tactical actions (assists, steals of ball, rebounders in defense, turnovers, block-shots) men’s and woman’s national teems did not have reliable differences statistically. The conducted analysis show that men’s teems are in a match, do considerably less of throws from near and middle distance, however do much more throws amount of long distant at more high percent of their realization. Conclusions: in the actions of men’s teems, a greater accent is traced on the attack of basket from long distances. Men’s of all playing positions, have more high percent of realization of near throws in a match. Reliable distinctions on implementation of assists, steals, block-shots, between men’s and woman’s commands did not exposed

Effect of Merger on Financial Performance in Banking Industry: A Case Study of ICICI Bank and BoR

In the era of 21 century, companies adopt various strategies to grow rapidly in their sector or new origin or field. One major aspect of such strategies is Merger and Acquisition, commonly known as M&A, widely used by the organizations. Where Merger is a mutually agreed decision by the companies, Acquisitions are the takeovers or unwilling deals between the organizations. Major benefit as considered by any organization is the benefit of synergy i.e., creating value which is greater than the simple total of its parts. Experiencing for other benefits such as entering in new market, cost reduction, cross selling, risk diversification, increasing shareholder’s value, M&A can be done within the industry or outside the industry. Reports on daily basis provided by media for various update of any of the industry either bollywood for latest releases, sports for world cup matches or stock market for ups and downs. Banking Industry in India is also in news for its various deals of Mergers and Acquisitions from long years back. Various mergers have taken place in the industry such as State Bank of India acquired Bank of Bihar Ltd and National Bank of Lahore in the year 1969 and 1970 respectively. ICICI Bank has done many mergers with different banks. It got started to acquire banks in 2001 with Bank of Madura Ltd, in 2002 with ICICI Personal Finance Services Ltd and ICICI Capital Services Ltd, in 2007 with Sangli Bank Ltd., in 2010 with the Bank of Rajasthan (BoR). This paper focuses on one of these mergers i.e., ICICI Bank (Acquirer) and The Bank of Rajasthan (Target). The main objective of this paper is to analyze financial performance of ICICI bank pre and post-merger. Financial performance has been analyzed with the help of ratios specifically in the areas of profitability, Liquidity and Leverage. Further T-test has been used to determine the significance differences in these financial performance areas. Analyses show that there is a significant benefit has been achieved by ICICI Bank after the merger. Analysis also shows that there is significant improvement in company’s return on equity, interest coverage, earnings per share and dividend per share in post merger period.

Fragments of us, fragments of them: social media, nationality and US perceptions of the 2014 FIFA World Cup

International sporting events often lead people to define protagonists and antagonists in the simplest of terms: the in-group is the home-nation team and the out-group is any other nation attempting to thwart the potential success of the home nation. This analysis involves the classification of 7498 comments rendered via the social media platform Twitter during the four 2014 FIFA World Cup matches involving the United States. Contrary to many other international sporting content analyses, results found that the attributions for success and/or failure did not differ between the United States and the opposing teams, yet the US players were more likely to receive commentary pertaining to their appearance and their emotions. Moreover, non-US players and teams were more likely to receive commentary outside of the realm of attribution of success and failure or personality and physicality. Implications of the findings are offered on multiple levels.

Asymmetric Predictability and Cognitive Competition in Football Penalty Shootouts

Sports provide powerful demonstrations of cognitive strategies underlying competitive behavior. Penalty shootouts in football (soccer) involve direct competition between elite players and absorb the attention of millions. The penalty shootout between Germany and England in the 1990 World Cup semifinal was viewed by an estimated 46.49% of the UK population. In a penalty shootout, a goalkeeper must defend their goal without teammate assistance while an opposing series of kickers aim to kick the ball past them into the net. As in many sports, the ball during a penalty kick often approaches too quickly for the goalkeeper to react to its direction of motion; instead, the goalkeeper must guess the likely direction of the kick, and dive in anticipation, if they are to have a chance of saving the shot. We examined all 361 kicks from the 37 penalty shootouts that occurred in World Cup and Euro Cup matches over a 36-year period from 1976 to 2012 and show that goalkeepers displayed a clear sequential bias. Following repeated kicks in the same direction, goalkeepers became increasingly likely to dive in the opposite direction on the next kick. Surprisingly, kickers failed to exploit these goalkeeper biases. Our findings highlight the importance of monitoring and predicting sequential behavior in real-world competition. Penalty shootouts pit one goalkeeper against several kickers in rapid succession. Asymmetries in the cognitive capacities of an individual versus a group could produce significant advantages over opponents.

World Cup Scores Bio Jet Fuel

Brazil’s national soccer team is flying to its World Cup matches in low-carbon style, thanks to GOL Airlines and 24,000 gal of biobased jet fuel supplied by UOP. Airlines around the globe have said...

In the Face of Austerity: The Puzzle of Museums and Universities

In the Face of Austerity: The Puzzle of Museums and Universities