Now 20 games have been played, won and lost by all the teams in the A-League, it’s time to review the performance of each team by their applicable statistics.
Note that ultimately points is the best statistic of a team’s performance and the teams at the top of the ladder are there deservedly so. All statistics were taken from footballaustralia.com.au.
The most exciting moment in any soccer match is of course the scoring of a goal. The team that’s provided us with the most exciting moments is the league-leaders, the Central Coast Mariners, with 37 goals.
Sydney FC are second with 34 goals, and Melbourne Victory are third with 30 goals. At the bottom is, somewhat predictably, the struggling Perth Glory with 20 goals.
An interesting way to analyse the offensive performance of each team would be investigate the goals-per-attempt ratio of each team (using attempts both off-and-on target).
For example, the Western Sydney Wanderers have had the most attempts in the league (by a considerable amount) with 314 attempts. However, they’ve only scored 24 goals, which means they’ll score once every 13 attempts (approximately).
The team with the lowest goals-per-attempt (GPA) ratio is Sydney FC, who score once around every six shots.
Other teams with good GPA ratios are the Central Coast (6.81) and Melbourne Victory (7.8).
The Wanderers have the highest (worst) ratio, followed by Perth (12.55), Wellington (9.42) and Brisbane (9.37). The lower the score inferences that the team does a good job of turning opportunities into goals (not necessarily they have high amounts of either).
Defensively, Sydney FC have committed the most fouls (17.4 fouls per game) with Western Sydney second (15.9) and Melbourne Heart third (15.5).
The Central Coast Mariners have the fewest fouls with only 10.7 fouls per game and, interestingly, also the least goals allowed (14) while Sydney have the most conceded (40).
Sydney also has the most saves (70) while the Central Coast the least with less than half of that (34).
In other statistical categories, Melbourne Victory has been called for offside the most (69 times) followed by Perth (66) and Wellington (61). Newcastle is very rarely offside (29 times).
Bottom of the league team Perth has won the most corners (131, which makes you wonder how they’ve only scored 20 times when you can guarantee the ball can be played into the box 131 times), then Wellington with 118 corners and Western Sydney with 116 – the three teams with the lowest goals scored have the highest corners taken.
Sydney have taken the least corners with only 77.
Check back soon for a review of individual players!
james rosewarne
Roar Guru
Thanks Nigel. I found them, though you're right, they are a little limited and not so easy to navigate. Thanks again.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
Thanks James. All the statistics are from the 'Season Stats' tab from footballaustralia.com.au - just go to a round 21 (next round) matchup, and then it shows you the statistics recorded for each player and team (its somewhat limited, but not bad).
james rosewarne
Roar Guru
PS I can only say how unfortunate some of the earlier comments were in regards to your piece. I must have forgotten that any article published has to be argumentative and full of controversy! I for one really appreciated you highlighting what were some really interesting nuggets of information. If there's one thing football writing does need, it's MORE numbers.
james rosewarne
Roar Guru
Great article Nigel, made more valuable as I'm particularly attracted to the numbers side of sport. Yet, for the life of me I can't seem to find where these stats can be found at the site you suggested. Can you provide a little more information??
Cameron
Roar Guru
I'm very surprised with where Sydney FC currently sit. Defensively they are the worst in the league with most fouls committed, most saves having been made and most cards received (66) with Melbourne victory Second worst (59). But thanks to ADP with his record breaking efforts and spike in interest and support, they have been able to conjure up something, without him they be nothing!
BES
Guest
The most intersting stat to me is showing that the team committing the fewest fouls has conceeded the least goals. This to me makes 2 very clear statements (no, in fact 3): 1. It is a mindset thing. These players are focussed and disciplined. Hence they dont succumb to the red mist and they are able to defend much more efficienty.(See Brisbane in the past 2 seasons as proof) 2. They dont give away stupid fouls and therefore allow freekicks and penalties. (See Brisbane THIS season as proof!) 3. The traditonal "Aussie" (man i HATE that term) form of football is dead. Long may it stay so.
Ian
Guest
looks good. and accomodation for visiting a-league teams thrown in and training fields. hope there is a good return on the investment for the mariners. also good to see the roar with second lowest fouls even with what you would call a disappointing year so far.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
The Mariners have the fewest fouls (214). Next lowest is Brisbane with 242.
Midfielder
Guest
Ian Here is a link to our forum on the COE... I opened it at page 35 so you can see it's design... http://ccmfans.net/community/index.php?threads/mariners-centre-of-excellence-is-go.1794/page-35
Melange
Guest
It'd be interesting to see how much the Wanderers GPA has improved over the last 10 rounds.
Ian
Guest
i know generally about the COE, not the specifics. but i'm sure if it was built by teams in other codes iit would be getting a couple of pages in the sports section describing it as a revolutionary step for Australian sport. (which would be overkill) but it sounds a worthy investment. are CCM down the bottom for fouls? i always respect the Fair Play Award given for least fouls. my team has won it 3 times as QLD/Brisbane Roar. ..;-)......of course jealous types say its the refs favouring that team but its about discipline.
Ian
Guest
haha.......yes, maybe its because it is like a set piece and your team is lining up as if (hopefullly) with a plan of attack. especially if its in the dying minutes of the game. i will continue to create atmosphere knowing there is a low percentage chance of a goal occurring.
Midfielder
Guest
The Mariners... Most Goals Conceded the least Keeper made the least number of saves Second best Goals per attempt Fewest fouls Interesting best defence with the fewest fouls, most goals and second on the goals per shot table... and aside from a few players ... the playing squad comes from its training academy .... I think we are also the youngest squad... Wonders aloud ... when the COE and youth academy will get aside from social media some real acknowledgement ... by the main stream media ... tis about time our technical barca loving master of the universe undertook a in-depth analysis of the COE and academy structure...
Towser
Guest
More's the pity
Towser
Guest
Hows the old saying go "There are three kinds of falsehoods: lies, damned lies, and statistics." Football is strewn with False Idol Statistics,thats why I have never seen it as a game dictated to by them. Its simple for me you play crap, brilliantly or ho hum , as an individual or a team. Its a bit like the weather forecast really Roar Season 1-5 Crap with flashes of Ho hum & brilliance, Season 6& 7,mostly brilliant with flashes of Ho-hum,Season 8 Crap with with an occasional outbreak of brilliance.
j binnie
Guest
Adrian - The original study I referred to was done in Europe somewhere and ,as it was some time ago could probably have altered slightly, up or down, but any movement would be marginal. Down the years there has been many centre forwards who were gifted in the air and with fast wingers slinging crosses, or corners ,across the goal, the likes of Tommy Lawton,Dixie Deans,Jackie Millburn and John Charles made their names scoring with their heads,but as you are well aware, modern tactical evolvement has seen that type of player almost disappear from the scene,some say more's the pity. jb
j binnie
Guest
Ian - you'll probably be joined by at least 10,000 others so don't worry about it too much,for it is all about what comes out when one really studies the statistics,the like of which Nigel has produced here. So keep on cheering,that's what adds to the atmosphere in the big games. Next time you watch an EPL match ,listen,and you will be able to smile ruefully whenever that corner is awarded and the crowd start roaring. We all get "that feeling" when that crowd roars,that's what some call "atmosphere". Cheers jb
Ian
Guest
gee that's a downer. next time there is a corner at suncorp i'll stay in my seat thinking maybe if we have 14 corners we'll get a goal. or maybe i'll enjoy myself and clap and yell really loudly in ignorance. Go the Roar.
Adrian
Guest
j binnie your so right corners, and i think it even less goals per corner in the EPL
j binnie
Guest
Nigel - A few points from your figures.Sydney are second with 34 goals scored and yet you tell us they have only had 77 corners.This simply backs up the statistical examination first published years ago that only 7% of cormers lead to goals,and yet it never ceases to amaze that when a team gains a corner the crowd roars in great anticipation. Apart from that your figures and the way they are presented don't add much to any debate for the analysis of any team performance must surely take into consideration the players playing in that team. For example. Would CCM's defensive record be so good if the leagues best centre-half wasn't playing in that team?. Where would Sydney FC stand if the great ADP was not in the team?, and the greatest indictment of all is in these 2 questions for both of these players are in their late 30's. How does that come up under analysis ?????? .Interesting article but somehow a bit inconclusive in it's findings jb;