November 26, 2022, 12:30 PM
November 26, 2022, 12:30 PM
The high number of goalless draws in the World Cup It is due to the fear that the teams have to suffer a defeat at the first exchange, confirmed this Saturday the group of technical studies of FIFA.
In Qatar’s first 20 matches have ended five games without goals, so if two more games end 0-0, the record for draws without celebrations in a World Cup would be equaled.
In the 2018 World Cup there was only one 0-0: between France, ultimately champion, and Denmark.
“It is because the teams do not want to risk too much at the beginning”said former Nigerian international Sunday Oliseh.
“The data shows that about 70% of the teams that lose their first match they are left out in the group stage, and everyone is aware of it,” he added.
Uruguay’s match against South Korea on Thursday was the first of a World Cup, in the 21st century, where not even a shot on goal was seen.
“Many teams bet on being cautious”said former Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni.
“Many teams fielded five defenders and they played very closed and compact. They wanted to secure at least one point in their first match and, if an opportunity appeared, try to use it to win the match,” he explained.
Despite England’s defeat of Iran (6-2) and Spain’s defeat of Costa Rica (7-0), so far fewer goals per game have been scored in Qatar than in Russia 2018 or Brazil 2014.
