World Cup: Group G Passing and Shooting Stats

by Hawerchuk on Jun 25, 2010 12:32 PM EDT in Zzz...Soccer

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 25: Luis Fabiano of Brazil tackles Pepe of Portugal during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group G match between Portugal and Brazil at Durban Stadium on June 25, 2010 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

This was a higher-event group than most we've seen so far, but without Portugal's 7-0 drubbing of North Korea, the overall shooting percentage would have been the lowest of the seven completed groups:

	Passes/G	Weighted	Avg	Shots/G	Goals/G	Shot%
Group G	383	82.76	21.6	13.08	1.42	10.83
Overall	353	75.65	21.4	10.97	1.07	9.71

Brazil was very dominant in terms of possession and passing - second-place Portugal, not-so-much:

Passes	For	Weighted	Vs	Weighted	% of Pass
Brazil	1599	343.3	723	140.8	68.9
Portugal	1091	220.5	1207	263.9	47.5
Ivory Coast	1159	273.1	1089	208.1	51.6
North Korea	746	156.2	1576	380.3	32.1

North Korea is the only team in the tournament to get outshot by more than a 2-1 margin overall. They had the double misfortune of not being very good, and drawing two top teams in their group:

	Shots F	Goals	Sh%	Shots A	Goals	Sh%
Brazil	43	5	11.63	28	2	7.14
Portugal	43	7	16.28	34	0	0.00
Ivory Coast	39	4	10.26	25	3	12.00
North Korea	32	1	3.13	70	12	17.14

Game-by-game passing stats follow:

Team	Passes	Weighted	Avg	Shots	Goals	Team	Passes	Weighted	Avg	Shots	Goals
Brazil	579	123.8	21.4	12	0	Portugal	242	43.3	17.9	11	0
Brazil	416	74.8	18.0	11	3	Ivory Coast	276	58.4	21.2	7	1
Brazil	604	144.7	24.0	20	2	North Korea	205	39.1	19.1	10	1

Total	1599	343.3	21.5	43	5	Total	723	140.8	19.5	28	2

Team	Passes	Weighted	Avg	Shots	Goals	Team	Passes	Weighted	Avg	Shots	Goals
Portugal	242	43.3	17.9	11	0	Brazil	579	123.8	21.4	12	0
Portugal	426	95.9	22.5	26	7	Ivory Coast	291	65.1	22.4	14	0
Portugal	423	81.3	19.2	6	0	North Korea	337	75	22.3	8	0

Total	1091	220.5	20.2	43	7	Total	1207	263.9	21.9	34	0

Team	Passes	Weighted	Avg	Shots	Goals	Team	Passes	Weighted	Avg	Shots	Goals
Ivory Coast	276	58.4	21.2	7	1		416	74.8	18.0	11	3
Ivory Coast	546	139.7	25.6	24	3		250	52	20.8	8	0
Ivory Coast	337	75	22.3	8	0		423	81.3	19.2	6	0

Total	1159	273.1	23.6	39	4	Total	1089	208.1	19.1	25	3

Team	Passes	Weighted	Avg	Shots	Goals	Team	Passes	Weighted	Avg	Shots	Goals
North Korea	250	52	20.8	8	0		546	139.7	25.6	24	3
North Korea	291	65.1	22.4	14	0		426	95.9	22.5	26	7
North Korea	205	39.1	19.1	10	1		604	144.7	24.0	20	2

Total	746	156.2	20.9	32	1	Total	1576	380.3	24.1	70	12

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Comments

North Korean's keeper never stood a chance did he?

A shame he didn’t put up a Halak-eque performance!

by DarrenV on Jun 25, 2010 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

It’s amazing, really – soccer has the same issues as hockey, only way, way worse because there are 60% fewer goals. I don’t get a ton of commenters on my soccer posts, but I’ve gotten a bunch of emails that try to explain away a losing team dominating possession and shooting. Same stuff as hockey – chances weren’t quality, the winning team’s defensive style limited opportunities, etc, etc…No notion that kicking a ball into the top corner from 60+ feet away might involve some luck.

by Hawerchuk on Jun 25, 2010 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Because there are so few goals in soccer, is there really any non-transient differential between the top 10 or 15 teams in soccer? It seems like a purely luck-driven exercise, where the referees and chance control the outcome.

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Jun 25, 2010 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

We’ll see over the next 16 games. There’s very little discernible difference between the top 3-4 teams in the English Premier League.

by Hawerchuk on Jun 25, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions

My guess is the only difference between the top sides is their own weaknesses in the squad, and the ability/luck to not be exploited on their weakness. Each team has one or two ways that they are suspect at giving away chances, and then its down to the quality and luck of finishing off those chances.

by DarrenV on Jun 25, 2010 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions