NOW when you look at the 32-team format, it is worth noting that it is the most successful format that Fifa
have adopted, guaranteeing equal representation among the confederations with the exception of Oceania, where the winner of that qualifying group has to play against the fifth-placed Asian team.
NOW when you look at the 32-team format, it is worth noting that it is the most successful format that Fifa
have adopted, guaranteeing equal representation among the confederations with the exception of Oceania, where the winner of that qualifying group has to play against the fifth-placed Asian team.
There were fears that since that there were more teams, there were going be many lopsided results, which they were in each tournament, which is expected when men are matched up against boys.
This applies especially in the group stages, where 32 games are played to determine the teams that qualify for the round of 16.
Goals In the 1998 tournament, 126 goals were scored in the group stages, at an average of 3.93 goals a game, with 81 goals scored before the last round of group matches.
In the 2002 edition, held in South Korea and Japan, 122 goals were scored in the group stages at 3.81 a game, with 81 goals scored in the two early rounds of the group games, showing the decrease in goals scored in the final round of group games.
In the Germany 2006 tournament, 117 goals at 3.65 were scored in the group games, with 75 goals scored in the rounds preceding the final round of group games.
So far, 70 goals, averaging 2.91 a game, have been scored in the two rounds, which shows a marked drop from the past editions at the same stage.
It must be said that Portugal’s 7-0 win over Korea DPR significantly boosted this number. The reasons behind this is that teams, especially the smaller nations, play defensive formations like the 5-4-1, which is intended to stifle attacking formations.
Attack-minded teams, such as Brazil, Spain and Argentina, tend to find holes in these packed defences, but teams that lack attacking talent often find it difficult.
Climate In comparing to the last World Cup that was held in the southern hemisphere winter, the 1978 edition in Argentina, there were fewer group games, but the goal average of 3.75 per game was higher than the group average for the 2006 World Cup.
This was held in the height of the European summer, so climatic conditions cannot be considered as a factor either way.
More surprisingly, the most goals have been scored on the Highveld, which includes host cities Pretoria, Johannesburg, Rustenburg and Polokwane.
Because the air on the Highveld is less dense than it is at the coast, the ball travels further in the air. It is also surprising, considering the amount of criticism levelled at the World Cup match ball, Jabulani, and how it behaves at altitude, that there has not been a scoreless fixture at any of the Highveld venues.
Anything can happen in football, but with the goal average as it is, there is little chance of the 126 goals scored in the 1998 World Cup group stage being surpassed.
However, there will be teams who will go for broke in search of that round of 16 spot. Formations and form books aside, the 2010 Fifa World Cup is at a stage where desperate times will call for desperate measures.
