Statistically kicking

NEW DELHI: Statistics may seem to have little to do with the talent of Ronaldinho, Zidane, Crespo, Ballack and Rooney among other soccer stars. However, as the final eight teams gear up for the World Cup quarter-finals, the number game reveals the top teams to watch out for in terms of netting the ball and defending their post. While all-time favourites Brazilians top the charts in terms of shooting at the goal, their closest Latino rivals Argentina have been the best converters.

ET worked on official FIFA statistics to analyse the top-striking teams and top teams in terms of their defence as per their actual performance till now in the world’s biggest soccer jamboree.Argentina netted one in four shots that it took against its rivals in the first two stages of the World Cup.

It was followed by Brazil with 16% accuracy, while the actual goals scored as a proportion of the shots taken for Germany was pegged at 13% and that for France is 12%.

However, when it comes to goals scored out of actual shots, France was placed marginally better than Brazil and Germany. But the Les Bleus preferred hitting the crowds rather than trouble the goalkeeper. Their shots on the goal as a percentage of the total shots taken was the lowest amongst the top eight teams.

When it came to defence, Portugal and Brazil ruled the roost. Numbers throw up Portuguese goalie Ricardo as the best performer followed by Brazil’s Dida till now.Surprisingly, the Samba boys who are not renowned for their defensive skills emerged as the most efficient along with the Portuguese. Both teams have conceded only one goal against the 50 shots that their opponents have scored against them.

If one looks at the ‘aggression quotient’, then England needs to beware of Portugal in their quarter final encounter. Portugal with 78 fouls leads the tally of the maximum fouls committed. It comes as no surprise that they lost their key mid-fielders Deco and Costinha in their previous match against the Dutch. Brazil and England have been the most disciplined on the field as of now.