Feed: Graphic detail
Posted on: Tuesday, June 17, 2014 09:03
Author: P.K. and D.D.M
Subject: The Brazil effect
| World Cup football isn't normally this exciting THE 2014 World Cup's first draw—a dull, goalless game between Iran and Nigeria—happened on June 16th, bringing to an end a "draw-drought" of 12 games. The match was conspicuous in an otherwise high-scoring tournament, which so far has seen 44 goals, or 3.14 per match. It is proving to be one of the most exciting World Cups of recent times, including shock results such as the Netherlands' 5-1 win over Spain, the reigning champions. Such excitement bucks the modern trend. Until this year, the tournament had been losing its kick. A draw-less run such as this has not happened in World Cup history since the first competition in 1930, when only 13 teams played just 18 matches, all decisive. Prior to this tournament, more matches have resulted in stalemate, often scoreless, in the last six tournaments than the previous 13 combined. Even the 1994 and 2006 cup finals ended in a draw (the former without a single goal) and had to be decided by penalty shoot-outs. Why the increase in draws? Perhaps it is because more countries are...Continue reading |
