International Soccer

Learn Soccer

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Football is played in accordance with a set of rules known as the Laws of the Game. The game is played using a single round ball, known as the football. Two teams of eleven players each compete to get the ball into the other team's goal (between the posts and under the bar), thereby scoring a goal. The team that has scored more goals at the end of the game is the winner; if both teams have scored an equal number of goals then the game is a draw.
The primary rule is that players (other than goalkeepers) may not deliberately handle the ball with their hands or arms during play (though they do use their hands during a throw-in restart). Although players usually use their feet to move the ball around, they may use any part of their bodies other than their hands or arms.[7]
In typical game play, players attempt to create goal scoring opportunities through individual control of the ball, such as by dribbling, passing the ball to a teammate, and by taking shots at the goal, which is guarded by the opposing goalkeeper. Opposing players may try to regain control of the ball by intercepting a pass or through tackling the opponent in possession of the ball; however, physical contact between opponents is restricted. Football is generally a free-flowing game, with play stopping only when the ball has left the field of play or when play is stopped by the referee. After a stoppage, play recommences with a specified restart.[8]
At a professional level, most matches produce only a few goals. For example, the 2005–06 season of the English Premier League produced an average of 2.48 goals per match.[9] The Laws of the Game do not specify any player positions other than goalkeeper,[10] but a number of specialised roles have evolved. Broadly, these include three main categories: strikers, or forwards, whose main task is to score goals; defenders, who specialise in preventing their opponents from scoring; and midfielders, who dispossess the opposition and keep possession of the ball in order to pass it to the forwards. Players in these positions are referred to as outfield players, in order to discern them from the single goalkeeper. These positions are further subdivided according to the area of the field in which the player spends most time. For example, there are central defenders, and left and right midfielders. The ten outfield players may be arranged in any combination. The number of players in each position determines the style of the team's play; more forwards and fewer defenders creates a more aggressive and offensive-minded game, while the reverse creates a slower, more defensive style of play. While players typically spend most of the game in a specific position, there are few restrictions on player movement, and players can switch positions at any time.[11] The layout of a team's players is known as a formation. Defining the team's formation and tactics is usually the prerogative of the team's manager.[12]

Governing Bodies

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[edit] Governing bodies
See also: Association football around the world
The recognised international governing body of football (and associated games, such as futsal and beach soccer) is the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). The FIFA headquarters are located in Zürich.
Six regional confederations are associated with FIFA; these are:
Asia: Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
Africa: Confederation of African Football (CAF)
Central/North America & Caribbean: Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF; also known as The Football Confederation)
Europe: Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)
Oceania: Oceania Football Confederation (OFC)
South America: Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (South American Football Confederation; CONMEBOL)
National associations oversee football within individual countries. These are affiliated both with FIFA and with their respective continental confederations.

[edit] Major international competitions
The major international competition in football is the World Cup, organised by FIFA. This competition takes place over a four-year period. More than 190 national teams compete in qualifying tournaments within the scope of continental confederations for a place in the finals. The finals tournament, which is held every four years, involves 32 national teams competing over a four-week period.[41] The 2006 FIFA World Cup took place in Germany; in 2010 it will be held in South Africa.[42]
There has been a football tournament at every Summer Olympic Games since 1900, except at the 1932 games in Los Angeles. Before the inception of the World Cup, the Olympics (especially during the 1920s) had the same status as the World Cup. Originally, the event was for amateurs only,[19] however, since the 1984 Summer Olympics professional players have been permitted, albeit with certain restrictions which prevent countries from fielding their strongest sides. Currently, the Olympic men's tournament is played at Under-23 level. In the past the Olympics have allowed a restricted number of over-age players per team;[43] but that practice will cease in the 2008 Olympics. The Olympic competition is not generally considered to carry the same international significance and prestige as the World Cup. A women's tournament was added in 1996; in contrast to the men's event, full international sides without age restrictions play the women’s Olympic tournament. It thus carries international prestige considered comparable to that of the FIFA Women's World Cup.
After the World Cup, the most important football competitions are the continental championships, which are organised by each continental confederation and contested between national teams. These are the European Championship (UEFA), the Copa América (CONMEBOL), African Cup of Nations (CAF), the Asian Cup (AFC), the CONCACAF Gold Cup (CONCACAF) and the OFC Nations Cup (OFC). The most prestigious competitions in club football are the respective continental championships, which are generally contested between national champions, for example the UEFA Champions League in Europe and the Copa Libertadores de América in South America. The winners of each continental competition contest the FIFA Club World Cup.[44]

[edit] Domestic competitions
Main article: Association football around the world
The governing bodies in each country operate league systems, normally comprising several divisions, in which the teams gain points throughout the season depending on results. Teams are placed into tables, placing them in order according to points accrued. Most commonly, each team plays every other team in its league at home and away in each season, in a round-robin tournament. At the end of a season, the top team are declared the champions. The top few teams may be promoted to a higher division, and one or more of the teams finishing at the bottom are relegated to a lower division. The teams finishing at the top of a country's league may be eligible also to play in international club competitions in the following season. The main exceptions to this system occur in some Latin American leagues, which divide football championships into two sections named Apertura and Clausura, awarding a champion for each.
The majority of countries supplement the league system with one or more cup competitions. These are organised on a knock-out basis, the winner of each match proceeding to the next round; the loser takes no further part in the competition.
Some countries' top divisions feature highly-paid star players; in smaller countries and lower divisions, players may be part-timers with a second job, or amateurs. The five top European leagues—the Premier League (England), the Bundesliga (Germany), La Liga (Spain), Ligue 1 (France) and Serie A (Italy)—attract most of the world's best players.

[edit] Names of the game
See also: Names for association football and Football (word)
The rules of football were codified in England by the Football Association in 1863, and the name association football was coined to distinguish the game from the other forms of football played at the time, specifically rugby football. The term soccer originated in England, first appearing in the 1880s as a slang abbreviation of association football, often credited to former England captain, Charles Wreford-Brown.[45]
Today the sport is generally known simply as football in countries where it is the most popular football code. In countries where other codes are more popular, the sport is more commonly referred to as soccer, and indeed is referred to as such in the official names of the governing bodies in the United States and Canada. FIFA, the sport's world governing body, defines the sport they govern as association football in their statutes,[46] but the term most commonly used by FIFA and the International Olympic Committee is football.

[edit] See also

Association football Portal
Association football culture
List of association football clubs
List of men's national association football teams
List of top association football goal scorers
List of top association football goal scorers by country
Lists of association football players
Paralympic association football
[show] v • d • e Association football
Overviews: Football around the world Women's football around the world
Timelines: Football English football
History: Prehistory of football History of football
1840s 1850s 1860s 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

[edit] References
^ "Soccer". Encarta. MSN. Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
^ Guttman, Allen [1993]. "The Diffusion of Sports and the Problem of Cultural Imperialism", in Eric Dunning, Joseph A. Maguire, Robert E. Pearton: The Sports Process: A Comparative and Developmental Approach. Champaign: Human Kinetics, p129. ISBN 0880116242. “the game is complex enough not to be invented independently by many preliterate cultures and yet simple enough to become the world's most popular team sport”
^ Dunning, Eric [1999]. "The development of soccer as a world game", Sport Matters: Sociological Studies of Sport, Violence and Civilisation. London: Routledge, p103. ISBN 0415064139. “During the twentieth century, soccer emerged as the world's most popular team sport”
^ "Soccer Popularity In U.S.", Austin, Texas: KXAN, 2006-06-12. Retrieved on 2008-01-26. "Soccer is easily the most popular sport worldwide, so popular that much of Europe practically shuts down during the World Cup."
^ Frederick O. Mueller, Robert C. Cantu, Steven P. Van Camp [1996]. "Team Sports", Catastrophic Injuries in High School and College Sports. Champaign: Human Kinetics, p57. ISBN 0873226747. “Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, and its popularity is growing in the United States. It has been estimated that there were 22 million soccer players in the world in the early 1980s, and that number is increasing. In the United States soccer is now a major sport at both the high school and college levels”
^ 2002 FIFA World Cup TV Coverage. FIFA official website (2006-12-05). Retrieved on 2008-01-06. (webarchive)
^ a b c Laws of the game (Law 12). FIFA. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
^ a b c Laws of the game (Law 8). FIFA. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
^ England Premiership (2005/2006). Sportpress.com. Retrieved on 2007-06-05.
^ a b Laws of the game (Law 3–Number of Players). FIFA. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
^ Positions guide, Who is in a team?. BBC. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
^ Formations. BBC Sport. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
^ History of Football. FIFA. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
^ Harvey, Adrian (2005). Football, the first hundred years. London: Routledge, pp.126. ISBN 0415350182.
^ Winner, David. "The hands-off approach to a man's game", The Times, 2005-03-28. Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
^ a b History of the FA. Football Association website. Retrieved on 2007-10-09.
^ The International FA Board. FIFA. Retrieved on 2007-09-02. (webarchive)
^ The History Of The Football League. Football League website. Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
^ a b Where it all began. FIFA official website. Retrieved on 2007-06-08. (webarchive)
^ Ingle, Sean and Barry Glendenning. "Baseball or Football: which sport gets the higher attendance?", Guardian Unlimited, 2003-10-09. Retrieved on 2006-06-05.
^ TV Data. FIFA website. Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
^ FIFA Survey: approximately 250 million footballers worldwide (PDF). FIFA website. Retrieved on 2006-09-15. (webarchive)
^ Dart, James and Paolo Bandini (2007-02-21). Has football ever started a war?. The Guardian. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
^ Daniel W. Drezner. "The Soccer Wars", The Washington Post, 2006-06-04, p. B01.
^ Laws Of The Game. FIFA. Retrieved on 2007-09-02.
^ Laws of the game (Law 4–Players' Equipment). FIFA. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
^ Laws of the game (Law 3–Substitution procedure). FIFA. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
^ Laws of the game (Law 5–The referee). FIFA. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
^ Summers, Chris (2004-09-02). Will we ever go completely metric?. BBC. Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
^ Laws of the game (Law 1.1–The field of play). FIFA. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
^ Laws of the game (Law 1.4–The Field of play). FIFA. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
^ Laws of the game (Law 1.3–The field of play). FIFA. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
^ Laws of the game (Law 7.2–The duration of the match). FIFA. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
^ Collett, Mike (2004-07-02). Time running out for silver goal. Reuters. Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
^ Laws of the game (Law 15–The Throw-in). FIFA. Retrieved on 2007-10-14.
^ Laws of the game (Law 16–The Goal Kick). FIFA. Retrieved on 2007-10-14.
^ Laws of the game (Law 17–The Corner Kick). FIFA. Retrieved on 2007-10-14.
^ a b Laws of the game (Law 13–Free Kicks). FIFA. Retrieved on 2007-10-14.
^ Laws of the game (Law 14–The Penalty Kick). FIFA. Retrieved on 2007-10-14.
^ The History of Offside. Julian Carosi. Retrieved on 2006-06-03.
^ The number of competing teams has varied over the history of the competition. The most recent changed was in 1998, from 24 to 32.
^ 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. FIFA World Cup website. Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
^ Football - An Olympic Sport since 1900. IOC website. Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
^ Organising Committee strengthens FIFA Club World Cup format. FIFA (2007-08-24). Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
^ Blain, Rebecca. The World's Most Beloved Sport - The History of Soccer. fussballportal.de. Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
^ FIFA Statutes (PDF). FIFA. Retrieved on 2007-10-07.

Duration of Game

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[edit] Duration and tie-breaking methods
A standard adult football match consists of two periods of 45 minutes each, known as halves. Each half runs continuously, meaning that the clock is not stopped when the ball is out of play. There is usually a 15-minute "half-time" break between halves. The end of the match is known as full-time.
The referee is the official timekeeper for the match, and may make an allowance for time lost through substitutions, injured players requiring attention, or other stoppages. This added time is commonly referred to as stoppage time or injury time, and is at the sole discretion of the referee. The referee alone signals the end of the match. In matches where a fourth official is appointed, toward the end of the half the referee signals how many minutes of stoppage time he intends to add. The fourth official then informs the players and spectators by holding up a board showing this number. The signalled stoppage time may be further extended by the referee.[33]
In league competitions, games may end in a draw, but in some knockout competitions if a game is tied at the end of regulation time it may go into extra time, which consists of two further 15-minute periods. If the score is still tied after extra time, some competitions allow the use of penalty shootouts (known officially in the Laws of the Game as "kicks from the penalty mark") to determine which team will progress to the next stage of the tournament. Goals scored during extra time periods count toward the final score of the game, but kicks from the penalty mark are only used to decide the team that progresses to the next part of the tournament (with goals scored in a penalty shootout not making up part of the final score).
Competitions held over two legs (in which each team plays at home once) may use the away goals rule to determine which team progresses in the event of equal aggregate scores. If the result is still equal, kicks from the penalty mark are usually required, though some competitions may require a tied game to be replayed.
In the late 1990s, the IFAB experimented with ways of creating a winner without requiring a penalty shootout, which was often seen as an undesirable way to end a match. These involved rules ending a game in extra time early, either when the first goal in extra time was scored (golden goal), or if one team held a lead at the end of the first period of extra time (silver goal). Golden goal was used at the World Cup in 1998 and 2002. The first World Cup game decided by a golden goal was France's victory over Paraguay in 1998. Germany was the first nation to score a golden goal in a major competition, beating Czech Republic in the final of Euro 1996. Silver goal was used in Euro 2004. Both these experiments have been discontinued by IFAB.[34]

Soccer Clubs

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Laws of the game
There are seventeen laws in the official Laws of the Game. The same Laws are designed to apply to all levels of football, although certain modifications for groups such as juniors, seniors or women are permitted. The laws are often framed in broad terms, which allow flexibility in their application depending on the nature of the game. In addition to the seventeen laws, numerous IFAB decisions and other directives contribute to the regulation of football. The Laws of the Game are published by FIFA, but are maintained by the International Football Association Board, not FIFA itself.[25]

[edit] Players, equipment and officials
See also: Association football positions, Formation (football), and Kit (Association football)
Each team consists of a maximum of eleven players (excluding substitutes), one of whom must be the goalkeeper. Competition rules may state a minimum number of players required to constitute a team; this is usually seven. Goalkeepers are the only players allowed to play the ball with their hands or arms, provided they do so within the penalty area in front of their own goal. Though there are a variety of positions in which the outfield (non-goalkeeper) players are strategically placed by a coach, these positions are not defined or required by the Laws.[10]
The basic equipment or kit players are required to wear includes a shirt, shorts, socks, footwear and adequate shin guards. Players are forbidden to wear or use anything that is dangerous to themselves or another player, such as jewellery or watches. The goalkeeper must wear clothing that is easily distinguishable from that worn by the other players and the match officials.[26]
A number of players may be replaced by substitutes during the course of the game. The maximum number of substitutions permitted in most competitive international and domestic league games is three, though the permitted number may vary in other competitions or in friendly matches. Common reasons for a substitution include injury, tiredness, ineffectiveness, a tactical switch, or timewasting at the end of a finely poised game. In standard adult matches, a player who has been substituted may not take further part in a match.[27]
A game is officiated by a referee, who has "full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed" (Law 5), and whose decisions are final. The referee is assisted by two assistant referees. In many high-level games there is also a fourth official who assists the referee and may replace another official should the need arise.[28]

[edit] Pitch

Standard pitch measurements (See Imperial version)
Main article: Football pitch
As the Laws were formulated in England, and were initially administered solely by the four British football associations within IFAB, the standard dimensions of a football pitch were originally expressed in imperial units. The Laws now express dimensions with approximate metric equivalents (followed by traditional units in brackets), though popular use tends to continue to use traditional units in English-speaking countries with a relatively recent history of metrification, such as Britain.[29]
The length of the pitch for international adult matches is in the range 100–110 m (110–120 yd) and the width is in the range 64–75 m (70–80 yd). Fields for non-international matches may be 91–120 m (100–130 yd) length and 45–91 m (50–101 yd) in width, provided that the pitch does not become square. The longer boundary lines are touchlines or sidelines, while the shorter boundaries (on which the goals are placed) are goal lines. A rectangular goal is positioned at the middle of each goal line.[30] The inner edges of the vertical goal posts must be 7.3 m (8 yd) apart, and the lower edge of the horizontal crossbar supported by the goal posts must be 2.44 m (8 ft) above the ground. Nets are usually placed behind the goal, but are not required by the Laws.[31]
In front of each goal is an area known as the penalty area. This area is marked by the goal line, two lines starting on the goal line 16.5 m (18 yd) from the goalposts and extending 16.5 m (18 yd) into the pitch perpendicular to the goal line, and a line joining them. This area has a number of functions, the most prominent being to mark where the goalkeeper may handle the ball and where a penalty foul by a member of the defending team becomes punishable by a penalty kick. Other markings define the position of the ball or players at kick-offs, goal kicks, penalty kicks and corner kicks.[32]

Soccer 2008

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[edit] Events
20 January to 10 February — Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana
June 7 to June 29 — Euro 2008 held in Austria and Switzerland
August 6 to August 24 - Men's and Women's Football Tournaments at the Beijing Olympics
October 30 to November 16 — Inauguration of FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup held In New Zealand
November 20 to December 7 — 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Chile

[edit] News

[edit] January
3 – Argentine midfielder Éver Banega leaves CA Boca Juniors and joins the Spanish club Valencia CF for an estimated fee of €18 million.
5 – Everton are knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round by Oldham, a team from Football League One (third division) as Huddersfield Town from the same division beat Birmingham City.
6 – Toulouse are eliminated from the Coupe de France by Paris FC, a team from the Championnat National (third division).
9 – Sam Allardyce leaves the manager's position at Newcastle United by mutual agreement.
11 – Jürgen Klinsmann is unveiled as the new coach of FC Bayern Munich, it was announced this would be effective from July.
20 – The Africa Cup of Nations begins in Ghana with the hosts beating Guinea 2-1.
23 – Tottenham Hotspur defeat Arsenal 5-1 in the semi-final second-leg of the League Cup. This was the first time they had beaten their local rivals since 1999.
24 – George Burley is announced as the new coach of the Scotland national football team.
28 – Mohamed Sissoko leaves Liverpool to sign for Juventus, costing the Italian team €13 million.

[edit] February
2 – Frédéric Kanouté is named 2007 African Footballer of the Year
4 – Víctor Muñoz is sacked from the managers job of Spanish team Recreativo de Huelva, Manolo Zambrano is immediately installed as the new coach of the La Liga team.
10 – Egypt win the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Cameroon in the final 1-0.
23 – South Korean men's team won East Asian Cup 2008.
23 – Japanese J. League Cup winner Gamba Osaka defeated MLS champion Houston Dynamo at the final game of Pan-Pacific Championship 2008 by 6-1, won the champion title of inaugural tournament. Los Angeles Galaxy won the third place match against Sydney FC from A-league by 2-1.
24 – Japan won the Women's East Asian Cup 2008 with three straight wins over South Korea, North Korea, and China.

[edit] National champions

[edit] AFC nations
Australia: Newcastle Jets

[edit] International tournaments
2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana (January 20 – February 10, 2008)
Egypt
Cameroon
Ghana
Côte d'Ivoire
Men's East Asian Cup 2008 final in Chongqing, China (February 17 – 23, 2008)
Korea Republic
Japan
China PR
Korea DPR
Women's East Asian Cup 2008 final in Chongqing, China (February 18 – 24, 2008)
Japan
Korea DPR
China PR
Korea Republic

[edit] Deaths

[edit] January
January 4 – Bjørn Odmar Andersen, Norwegian footballer
January 4 – Vyacheslav Ambartsumyan, Russian footballer
January 5 – Louis Hon, French footballer
January 9 – Paul Aimson, English footballer
January 11 – Frank Loughran, Australian international footballer
January 12 – Leszek Jezierski, Polish footballer and manager
January 14 – Johnny Steele, English footballer and manager
January 18 – Wally Fielding, English footballer
January 21 – Billy Elliott, English footballer

[edit] February
February 1 – Władysław Kawula, Polish footballer
February 9 – Guy Tchingoma, Gabonese footballer
February 10 – Ove Jørstad, Norwegian footballer
February 12 – Jean Prouff, French footballer and manager
February 12 – Thomas Grosser, German footballer
February 14 – Len Boyd, English footballer
February 15 – Inge Thun, Norwegian footballer
February 17 – Brian Harris, English footballer and manager
February 21 – Emmanuel Sanon, Haitian footballer

[edit] March
March 2 – Carl Hoddle, English footballer
March 5 – Derek Dooley, English footballer and manager

world cup winners

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Expert Football > World Football > World Cup
The overly-commercial World Cup of today had actually humble beginnings. Early in the 20th century, FIFA tried to arrange an international tournament, but it wasn't until 1930 that the first World Cup was held. The tournament was designed as an alternative to the Olympic games where professional footballers where not allowed to compete. Held in South America, the first World Cup was ignored by many European nations due to the inconvenience of travel. England, where professional football was first to develop completely dismissed the tournament and refused to participate until 1950
Germany 2006
S.Korea & Japan 2002
France 1998
USA 1994
Past World Cup Finals
Year
Winner
Runner-up
Result
Host
2006
Italy
France
1-1 (5-3)
Germany
2002
Brazil
Germany
2-0
S.Korea & Japan
1998
France
Brazil
3-0
France
1994
Brazil
Italy
0-0 (3-2)
USA
1990
West Germany
Argentina
1-0
Italy
1986
Argentina
West Germany
3-2
Mexico
1982
Italy
West Germany
3-1
Spain
1978
Argentina
Netherlands
3-1
Argentina
1974
West Germany
Netherlands
2-1
Germany
1970
Brazil
Italy
4-1
Mexico
1966
England
West Germany
4-2
England
1962
Brazil
Czechoslovakia
3-1
Chile
1958
Brazil
Sweden
5-2
Sweden
1954
West Germany
Hungary
3-2
Switzerland
1950
Uruguay
Brazil
2-1
Brazil
1938
Italy
Hungary
4-2
France
1934
Italy
Czechoslovakia
2-1
Italy
1930
Uruguay
Argentina
4-2
Uruguay
Titles
Country
5
Brazil
4
Italy
3
Germany
2
Uruguay
2
Argentina
1
France
1
England
Titles
Continent
9
South America
9
Europe
Official Posters
Official Emblems

History

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History of Soccer Gaming Part II >
Pele's Soccer (also released as Soccer and Championship Soccer)
Released: 1981Developer: AtariConsole: Atari 2600During the early 1980's, Atari 2600 ruled the gaming market and naturally Pele's Soccer got a lot of exposure. Although primitive, the game became one of the first massively popular titles dedicated to the world's most popular sport. As you can see from the screenshot, it is difficult to tell which rectangle represents the Brazilian legend Pele (we assume he's the top red blob scoring in the blue goal). Today, it is easy to rag on the game's graphics, yet we must remain objective in our retrospection. At the time, Pele's soccer was regarded as a fun title offering good multi and single player action (enemy AI was superb for 1981). If you don't believe that people took this game seriously check out this excerpt from its manual: Okay, soccer fans, the ATARI CHAMPIONSHIP SOCCER™ Team challenges you to a game. The ATARI computer team is waiting impatiently inside your Game Program cartridge for you to select one of the single player games. They want to show you their stuff. Here's a brief rundown on each player, just so you'll know who you're up against. "CRASH" MORGAN the galloping goalie, is the fastest man on the team. "CRASH" got his nickname because he is forever slamming into the goal posts chasing after the ball. Fortunately, the goal posts are never damaged, but sometimes you can score a goal on him before his ears stop ringing. NICK DANGER, the frantic forward, is mean and nasty and just loves to blast the ball into your goal shouting, "eat leather, chump." Don't let his bad manners bother you, it's just his way of rattling the opposition. "LUMPY" DURAN, the left back, is without a doubt the clumsiest player in the world of soccer. Penalized twice for stepping on the ball instead of kicking it, he was finally thrown out of one game for toe-kicking the referee! ALEXIE PUTSNOWSKI (Putsy), the right back. What can we say about Putsy? A real ladies man, a great soccer player, a sore loser. Even though "The Puts" has kicked and gouged his way to soccer stardom, for three years in a row he has been voted the "least likely" player.
Soccer
Released: March/1987Developer: NintendoConsole: NESSoccer isn't really a groundbreaking game, but it became quite common during the NES era of the late 80s. As the Nintendo overtook the video gaming market, this oldie spread with the console like a stubborn weed. The game lets you play 6 on 6 matches against the computer or a friend. The AI and the ball physics are quite primitive. Regardless whether you're passing, dribbling or shooting, the ball goes in straight paths. If we were to replace the game's sprites, it could easily turn into hockey or basketball. Overall, it followed the standard for early NES sports titles like 30 Yard Fight, Baseball, Volleyball and Tennis. These were "first generation" NES games which competed against contemporary arcade releases. Soccer followed along this trend failing to innovate or introduce elements from the real game. In its lack of originality, this title shows us how little have games advanced since Pele's Soccer of 1981. The only consolation are the dancing cheerleaders at half time.

Fouls and Misconduct

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Fouls and misconduct

Players are cautioned with a yellow card, and sent off with a red card. These colours were first introduced at the 1970 FIFA World Cup and used consistently since.
A foul occurs when a player commits an offence listed in the Laws of the Game while the ball is in play. The offences that constitute a foul are listed in Law 12. Handling the ball deliberately, tripping an opponent, or pushing an opponent, are examples of "penal fouls", punishable by a direct free kick or penalty kick depending on where the offence occurred. Other fouls are punishable by an indirect free kick.[7]

A player scores a penalty kick given after an offence is committed inside the penalty box
The referee may punish a player or substitute's misconduct by a caution (yellow card) or sending-off (red card). A second yellow card at the same game leads to a red card, and therefore to a sending-off. If a player has been sent-off, no substitute can be brought on in their place. Misconduct may occur at any time, and while the offences that constitute misconduct are listed, the definitions are broad. In particular, the offence of "unsporting behaviour" may be used to deal with most events that violate the spirit of the game, even if they are not listed as specific offences. A referee can show a yellow or red card to a player, substitute or substituted player. Non-players such as managers and support staff cannot be shown the yellow or red card, but may be expelled from the technical area if they fail to conduct themselves in a responsible manner.[7]
Rather than stopping play, the referee may allow play to continue if doing so will benefit the team against which an offence has been committed. This is known as "playing an advantage". The referee may "call back" play and penalise the original offence if the anticipated advantage does not ensue within a short period, typically taken to be four to five seconds. Even if an offence is not penalised due to advantage being played, the offender may still be sanctioned for misconduct at the next stoppage of play.
The most complex of the Laws is offside. The offside law limits the ability of attacking players to remain forward (i.e. closer to the opponent's goal line) of the ball, the second-to-last defending player (which can include the goalkeeper), and the half-way line.[40]

play soccer

2008-03-08T23:32:00.000-08:00

How To Play Better Soccer
Soccer Parents and New Coaches learn to teach their players 'How To Play Better Soccer' with the skills taught by professional soccer coaches.www.howtoplay.com/soccer/index.html - 46k - Cached - Similar pages
Play Soccer: An international program for children
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Soccer Heat

2008-03-08T23:20:00.000-08:00

Premier Soccer
Copyright©2004 HSA Heat. All Rights Reserved SAM Software and Hosting by Bonzi Development Group ©2004 Bonzi Development Group.www.highlineheat.com/ - 17k - Cached - Similar pages
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U.S. Soccer Federation 2006 Youth Soccer Heat & Hydration Guidelines
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The Official Site of U.S. Soccer - Resource Center
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Play Soccer Online

2008-03-08T23:05:00.000-08:00

Playforyourclub - free online soccer and football games
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ALL FOOTBALL WEBSITES

2008-03-08T22:54:00.000-08:00

World Stadiums
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soccer schedules 2008

2008-03-08T21:11:00.000-08:00

Date
Sport Match Name
League Event
Country

09/03/08, 06:00
Tokushima Vortis - Yokohama FC
J League Division 2
Japan
09/03/08, 06:00
Kashiwa Reysol - Jubilo Iwata
J-League Division 1
Japan
09/03/08, 06:00
Kawasaki Frontale - Tokyo Verdy 1969
J-League Division 1
Japan
09/03/08, 06:00
Ventforet Kofu - FC Gifu
J League Division 2
Japan
09/03/08, 08:00
Omiya Ardija - Albirex Niigata
J-League Division 1
Japan
09/03/08, 09:00
Western Force - Crusaders (Game postponed)
Rugby Union Super 14
International
09/03/08, 10:30
Zlate Moravce - Dubnica
Corgon League
Slovakia
09/03/08, 10:30
Artmedia Petrzalka - FC Senec
Corgon League
Slovakia
09/03/08, 11:00
Universitet Surgut - Enisey
Superleague
Russia
09/03/08, 11:00
TUR Turek - Warta
2. Division
Poland
09/03/08, 11:30
Betis B - Cartagena
Segunda Division B4
Spain
09/03/08, 11:45
Villajoyosa - Terrassa
Segunda Division B3
Spain
09/03/08, 11:45
Gramanet - Orihuela
Segunda Division B3
Spain
09/03/08, 12:00
Sakaryaspor - Malatyaspor
2. Lig A
Turkey
09/03/08, 12:00
Kayseri Erciyespor - Boluspor
2. Lig A
Turkey
09/03/08, 12:00
Istanbulspor - Gaziantep BB
2. Lig A
Turkey
09/03/08, 12:00
Antalyaspor - Orduspor
2. Lig A
Turkey
09/03/08, 12:00
Diyarbakirspor - Mardinspor
2. Lig A
Turkey
09/03/08, 12:00
Sporting - Hércules
Segunda Division
Spain
09/03/08, 12:00
S.S. Reyes - Marino
Segunda Division B1
Spain
09/03/08, 12:00
San Isidro - Lugo
Segunda Division B1
Spain
09/03/08, 12:00
Fuenlabrada - Vecindario
Segunda Division B1
Spain
09/03/08, 12:00
R. Madrid Castilla - Universidad L.P.
Segunda Division B1
Spain
09/03/08, 12:00
Celta B - Alcorcón
Segunda Division B1
Spain
09/03/08, 12:00
Levante B - Villarreal B
Segunda Division B3
Spain
09/03/08, 12:00
Denia - Eivissa
Segunda Division B3
Spain
09/03/08, 12:00
L Hospitalet - Benidorm
Segunda Division B3
Spain
09/03/08, 12:00
Miapuesta Figueres - Girona
Segunda Division B3
Spain
09/03/08, 12:00
Gava - Alcoyano
Segunda Division B3
Spain
09/03/08, 12:00
Air Avellino - Lottomatica Roma
Basketball Serie A
Italy
09/03/08, 12:00
Elazigspor - Samsunspor
2. Lig A
Turkey
09/03/08, 12:00
Znicz Pruszkow - GKS Gieksa Katowice
2. Division
Poland
09/03/08, 12:15
Estoril - Beira-Mar
Liga de Honra
Portugal
09/03/08, 12:30
Sivasspor - Ankaragücü
Super League
Turkey
09/03/08, 12:30
Gaziantepspor - Caykur Rizespor
Super League
Turkey
09/03/08, 12:30
Oftasspor - Bursaspor
Super League
Turkey
09/03/08, 12:30
AZ - Feyenoord
Casino Eredivisie
Netherlands
09/03/08, 12:30
VVV Venlo - FC Twente
Casino Eredivisie
Netherlands
09/03/08, 12:30
Santa Brigida - Lanzarote
Segunda Division B1
Spain
09/03/08, 12:30
F.C. Barcelona - Ricoh Manresa
ACB
Spain
09/03/08, 12:30
Real Madrid - Unicaja Malaga
ACB
Spain
09/03/08, 13:00
Chester - Wrexham
League Two
England
09/03/08, 13:00
Wolverhampton - West Bromwich
Championship
England
09/03/08, 13:00
Pajara Playas - Ourense
Segunda Division B1
Spain
09/03/08, 13:00
Gran Canaria - CB Granada
ACB
Spain
09/03/08, 13:00
Poli Iasi - FC Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt
Divizia A
Romania
09/03/08, 13:00
Vorskla - FC Shakhtar Donetsk
Vischaya League
Ukraine
09/03/08, 13:30
Vojvodina - Hajduk K.
Meridian Super Lige
Serbia
09/03/08, 13:35
P. Schnyder - S. Williams
Bangalore Open
WTA
09/03/08, 13:45
Aberdeen - Celtic
Scottish Cup
Scotland
09/03/08, 14:00
Erzgebirge Aue - VfL Osnabrück
2. Bundesliga
Germany
09/03/08, 14:00
FSV Mainz - Kickers Offenbach
2. Bundesliga
Germany
09/03/08, 14:00
1899 Hoffenheim - SC Paderborn
2. Bundesliga
Germany
09/03/08, 14:00
FC Köln - TuS Koblenz
2. Bundesliga
Germany
09/03/08, 14:00
Carl Zeiss Jena - SV Wehen
2. Bundesliga
Germany
09/03/08, 14:00
Hamburger SV Am. - Fortuna Düsseldorf
Regional Liga Nord
Germany
09/03/08, 14:00
SC Verl - VfB Lübeck
Regional Liga Nord
Germany
09/03/08, 14:00
Atromitos - Apollon Kalamaria
1. League
Greece
09/03/08, 14:00
Asteras Tripolis - Ergotelis
1. League
Greece
09/03/08, 14:00
Trabzonspor - Kasimpasa
Super League
Turkey
09/03/08, 14:00
Skive - Esbjerg
Landes Pokal
Denmark
09/03/08, 14:00
Samara - CSKA Moscow
Superleague
Russia
09/03/08, 14:00
Selcuk University - Alpella
Basketball League
Turkey
09/03/08, 14:00
Gama - Brazlandia
Brasiliense
Brazil
09/03/08, 14:00
Flamengo SP - XV de Piracicaba
Paulista A-3
Brazil3/08, 14:00
Palmeiras B - Penapolense
Paulista A-3
Brazil
09/03/08, 14:00
Linense - Santacruzense
Paulista A-3
Brazil
09/03/08, 14:00
Democrata FC - Rio Branco
Mineiro
Brazil
09/03/08, 14:00
La Rochelle - Pau
Pro Division 2
France
09/03/08, 14:10
Defensor Sporting - Danubio
Primera Division Clausura
Uruguay
09/03/08, 14:30
Caslav - Vitkovice
2. Liga
Czech Republic
09/03/08, 14:30
Frederikshavn - Rødovre
SuperBest Ligaen Final
Denmark
09/03/08, 14:30
Sparta - Roda JC
Casino Eredivisie
Netherlands
09/03/08, 14:30
PSV - Ajax
Casino Eredivisie
Netherlands
09/03/08, 14:30
Pro Patria - Cittadella
Serie C1 A
Italy
09/03/08, 14:30
Verona - Foggia
Serie C1 A
Italy
09/03/08, 14:30
Manfredonia - Lecco
Serie C1 A
Italy
09/03/08, 14:30
Cremonese - Legnano
Serie C1 A
Italy
09/03/08, 14:30
Novara - Monza
Serie C1 A
Italy
09/03/08, 14:30
Foligno - Paganese
Serie C1 A
Italy

Football Clubs

2008-03-08T21:10:00.000-08:00

List of association football clubs
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
This is a list of lists of association football clubs from all over the world. Each of the articles linked from here lists clubs playing at the highest level in each country; for clubs playing at lower divisions, see separate linked articles.
Contents[hide]
1 Africa (CAF)
2 Asia (AFC)
3 Europe (UEFA)
4 North, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF)
5 Oceania (OFC)
6 South America (CONMEBOL)
7 Non-FIFA countries
8 See also
9 External links
//

[edit] Africa (CAF)
Main article: List of top-division football clubs in CAF countries

[edit] Asia (AFC)
Main article: List of top-division football clubs in AFC countries

[edit] Europe (UEFA)
Main article: List of top-division football clubs in UEFA countries

[edit] North, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF)
Main article: List of top-division football clubs in CONCACAF countries

[edit] Oceania (OFC)
Main article: List of top-division football clubs in OFC countries

[edit] South America (CONMEBOL)
Main article: List of top-division football clubs in CONMEBOL countries

[edit] Non-FIFA countries
Main article: List of top-division football clubs in non-FIFA countries

[edit] See also
List of men's national football (soccer) teams
List of football (soccer) competitions
Football club names

[edit] External links
RSSSF - current domestic results

Major & domestic Competations

2008-03-08T21:08:00.000-08:00

Major international competitions
The major international competition in football is the World Cup, organised by FIFA. This competition takes place over a four-year period. More than 190 national teams compete in qualifying tournaments within the scope of continental confederations for a place in the finals. The finals tournament, which is held every four years, involves 32 national teams competing over a four-week period.[41] The 2006 FIFA World Cup took place in Germany; in 2010 it will be held in South Africa.[42]
There has been a football tournament at every Summer Olympic Games since 1900, except at the 1932 games in Los Angeles. Before the inception of the World Cup, the Olympics (especially during the 1920s) had the same status as the World Cup. Originally, the event was for amateurs only,[19] however, since the 1984 Summer Olympics professional players have been permitted, albeit with certain restrictions which prevent countries from fielding their strongest sides. Currently, the Olympic men's tournament is played at Under-23 level. In the past the Olympics have allowed a restricted number of over-age players per team;[43] but that practice will cease in the 2008 Olympics. The Olympic competition is not generally considered to carry the same international significance and prestige as the World Cup. A women's tournament was added in 1996; in contrast to the men's event, full international sides without age restrictions play the women’s Olympic tournament. It thus carries international prestige considered comparable to that of the FIFA Women's World Cup.
After the World Cup, the most important football competitions are the continental championships, which are organised by each continental confederation and contested between national teams. These are the European Championship (UEFA), the Copa América (CONMEBOL), African Cup of Nations (CAF), the Asian Cup (AFC), the CONCACAF Gold Cup (CONCACAF) and the OFC Nations Cup (OFC). The most prestigious competitions in club football are the respective continental championships, which are generally contested between national champions, for example the UEFA Champions League in Europe and the Copa Libertadores de América in South America. The winners of each continental competition contest the FIFA Club World Cup.[44]

[edit] Domestic competitions
Main article: Association football around the world
The governing bodies in each country operate league systems, normally comprising several divisions, in which the teams gain points throughout the season depending on results. Teams are placed into tables, placing them in order according to points accrued. Most commonly, each team plays every other team in its league at home and away in each season, in a round-robin tournament. At the end of a season, the top team are declared the champions. The top few teams may be promoted to a higher division, and one or more of the teams finishing at the bottom are relegated to a lower division. The teams finishing at the top of a country's league may be eligible also to play in international club competitions in the following season. The main exceptions to this system occur in some Latin American leagues, which divide football championships into two sections named Apertura and Clausura, awarding a champion for each.
The majority of countries supplement the league system with one or more cup competitions. These are organised on a knock-out basis, the winner of each match proceeding to the next round; the loser takes no further part in the competition.
Some countries' top divisions feature highly-paid star players; in smaller countries and lower divisions, players may be part-timers with a second job, or amateurs. The five top European leagues—the Premier League (England), the Bundesliga (Germany), La Liga (Spain), Ligue 1 (France) and Serie A (Italy)—attract most of the world's best players.

[edit] Names of the game
See also: Names for association football and Football (word)
The rules of football were codified in England by the Football Association in 1863, and the name association football was coined to distinguish the game from the other forms of football played at the time, specifically rugby football. The term soccer originated in England, first appearing in the 1880s as a slang abbreviation of association football, often credited to former England captain, Charles Wreford-Brown.[45]
Today the sport is generally known simply as football in countries where it is the most popular football code. In countries where other codes are more popular, the sport is more commonly referred to as soccer, and indeed is referred to as such in the official names of the governing bodies in the United States and Canada. FIFA, the sport's world governing body, defines the sport they govern as association football in their statutes,[46] but the term most commonly used by FIFA and the International Olympic Committee is football.

Ball in & out of play

2008-03-08T21:03:00.000-08:00

Ball in and out of play
Main article: Ball in and out of play
Under the Laws, the two basic states of play during a game are ball in play and ball out of play. From the beginning of each playing period with a kick-off (a set kick from the centre-spot by one team) until the end of the playing period, the ball is in play at all times, except when either the ball leaves the field of play, or play is stopped by the referee. When the ball becomes out of play, play is restarted by one of eight restart methods depending on how it went out of play:

A player about to take a free kick.
Kick-off: following a goal by the opposing team, or to begin each period of play.[8]
Throw-in: when the ball has wholly crossed the touchline; awarded to opposing team to that which last touched the ball.[35]
Goal kick: when the ball has wholly crossed the goal line without a goal having been scored and having last been touched by an attacker; awarded to defending team.[36]
Corner kick: when the ball has wholly crossed the goal line without a goal having been scored and having last been touched by a defender; awarded to attacking team.[37]
Indirect free kick: awarded to the opposing team following "non-penal" fouls, certain technical infringements, or when play is stopped to caution or send-off an opponent without a specific foul having occurred. A goal may not be scored directly from an indirect free kick.[38]
Direct free kick: awarded to fouled team following certain listed "penal" fouls.[38]
Penalty kick: awarded to the fouled team following a foul usually punishable by a direct free kick but that has occurred within their opponent's penalty area.[39]
Dropped-ball: occurs when the referee has stopped play for any other reason, such as a serious injury to a player, interference by an external party, or a ball becoming defective. This restart is uncommon in adult games.[8]

Laws of the game

2008-03-08T20:55:00.000-08:00

[edit] Laws of the game
There are seventeen laws in the official Laws of the Game. The same Laws are designed to apply to all levels of football, although certain modifications for groups such as juniors, seniors or women are permitted. The laws are often framed in broad terms, which allow flexibility in their application depending on the nature of the game. In addition to the seventeen laws, numerous IFAB decisions and other directives contribute to the regulation of football. The Laws of the Game are published by FIFA, but are maintained by the International Football Association Board, not FIFA itself.[25]

[edit] Players, equipment and officials
See also: Association football positions, Formation (football), and Kit (Association football)
Each team consists of a maximum of eleven players (excluding substitutes), one of whom must be the goalkeeper. Competition rules may state a minimum number of players required to constitute a team; this is usually seven. Goalkeepers are the only players allowed to play the ball with their hands or arms, provided they do so within the penalty area in front of their own goal. Though there are a variety of positions in which the outfield (non-goalkeeper) players are strategically placed by a coach, these positions are not defined or required by the Laws.[10]
The basic equipment or kit players are required to wear includes a shirt, shorts, socks, footwear and adequate shin guards. Players are forbidden to wear or use anything that is dangerous to themselves or another player, such as jewellery or watches. The goalkeeper must wear clothing that is easily distinguishable from that worn by the other players and the match officials.[26]
A number of players may be replaced by substitutes during the course of the game. The maximum number of substitutions permitted in most competitive international and domestic league games is three, though the permitted number may vary in other competitions or in friendly matches. Common reasons for a substitution include injury, tiredness, ineffectiveness, a tactical switch, or timewasting at the end of a finely poised game. In standard adult matches, a player who has been substituted may not take further part in a match.[27]
A game is officiated by a referee, who has "full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed" (Law 5), and whose decisions are final. The referee is assisted by two assistant referees. In many high-level games there is also a fourth official who assists the referee and may replace another official should the need arise.[28

History of Soccer

2008-03-08T20:44:00.000-08:00

[edit] History and development
See also: Football and History of association football

Map showing the popularity of football around the world. Countries where football is the most popular sport are coloured green, while countries where it is not are coloured red. The various shades of green and red indicate the number of players per 1,000 inhabitants.
Games revolving around the kicking of a ball have been played in many countries throughout history. According to FIFA, the "very earliest form of the game for which there is scientific evidence was an exercise of precisely this skilful technique dating back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC in China (the game of cuju)."[13] In addition, the Roman game harpastum may be a distant ancestor of football. Various forms of football were played in medieval Europe, though rules varied greatly by both period and location.
The modern rules of football are based on the mid-19th century efforts to standardise the widely varying forms of football played at the public schools of England.
The Cambridge Rules, first drawn up at Cambridge University in 1848, were particularly influential in the development of subsequent codes, including Association football. The Cambridge Rules were written at Trinity College, Cambridge, at a meeting attended by representatives from Eton, Harrow, Rugby, Winchester and Shrewsbury schools. They were not universally adopted. During the 1850s, many clubs unconnected to schools or universities were formed throughout the English-speaking world, to play various forms of football. Some came up with their own distinct codes of rules, most notably the Sheffield Football Club, formed by former public school pupils in 1857,[14] which led to formation of a Sheffield FA in 1867. In 1862, John Charles Thring of Uppingham School also devised an influential set of rules.[15]
These ongoing efforts contributed to the formation of The Football Association (The FA) in 1863, which first met on the morning of 26 October 1863 at the Freemason's Tavern in Great Queen Street, London.[16] The only school to be represented on this occasion was Charterhouse. The Freemason's Tavern was the setting for five more meetings between October and December, which eventually produced the first comprehensive set of rules. At the final meeting, the first FA treasurer, the representative from Blackheath, withdrew his club from the FA over the removal of two draft rules at the previous meeting, the first which allowed for the running with the ball in hand and the second, obstructing such a run by hacking (kicking an opponent in the shins), tripping and holding. Other English rugby football clubs followed this lead and did not join the FA, or subsequently left the FA and instead in 1871 formed the Rugby Football Union. The eleven remaining clubs, under the charge of Ebenezer Cobb Morley, went on to ratify the original thirteen laws of the game.[16] These rules included handling of the ball by "marks" and the lack of a crossbar, rules which made it remarkably similar to Victorian rules football being developed at that time in Australia. The Sheffield FA played by its own rules until the 1870s with the FA absorbing some of its rules until there was little difference between the games.
The laws of the game are currently determined by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). The Board was formed in 1886[17] after a meeting in Manchester of The Football Association, the Scottish Football Association, the Football Association of Wales, and the Irish Football Association. The world's oldest football competition is the FA Cup, which was founded by C. W. Alcock and has been contested by English teams since 1872. The first official international football match took place in 1872 between Scotland and England in Glasgow, again at the instigation of C. W. Alcock. England is home to the world's first football league, which was founded in 1888 by Aston Villa director William McGregor.[18] The original format contained 12 clubs from the Midlands and the North of England. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the international football body, was formed in Paris in 1904 and declared that they would adhere to Laws of the Game of the Football Association.[19] The growing popularity of the international game led to the admittance of FIFA representatives to the International Football Association Board in 1913. The board currently consists of four representatives from FIFA and one representative from each of the four British associations.
Today, football is played at a professional level all over the world. Millions of people regularly go to football stadiums to follow their favourite teams,[20] while billions more watch the game on television.[21] A very large number of people also play football at an amateur level. According to a survey conducted by FIFA published in 2001, over 240 million people from more than 200 countries regularly play football.[22] Its simple rules and minimal equipment requirements have no doubt aided its spread and growth in popularity.
In many parts of the world football evokes great passions and plays an important role in the life of individual fans, local communities, and even nations; it is therefore often claimed to be the most popular sport in the world. ESPN has spread the claim that the Côte d'Ivoire national football team helped secure a truce to the nation's civil war in 2005. By contrast, football is widely considered to be the final proximate cause in the Football War in June 1969 between El Salvador and Honduras.[23] The sport also exacerbated tensions at the beginning of the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s, when a match between Dinamo Zagreb and Red Star Belgrade devolved into rioting in March 1990.[24]

Nature of the game

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Nature of the game

A goalkeeper dives to stop the ball from entering his goal.
Football is played in accordance with a set of rules known as the Laws of the Game. The game is played using a single round ball, known as the football. Two teams of eleven players each compete to get the ball into the other team's goal (between the posts and under the bar), thereby scoring a goal. The team that has scored more goals at the end of the game is the winner; if both teams have scored an equal number of goals then the game is a draw.
The primary rule is that players (other than goalkeepers) may not deliberately handle the ball with their hands or arms during play (though they do use their hands during a throw-in restart). Although players usually use their feet to move the ball around, they may use any part of their bodies other than their hands or arms.[7]
In typical game play, players attempt to create goal scoring opportunities through individual control of the ball, such as by dribbling, passing the ball to a teammate, and by taking shots at the goal, which is guarded by the opposing goalkeeper. Opposing players may try to regain control of the ball by intercepting a pass or through tackling the opponent in possession of the ball; however, physical contact between opponents is restricted. Football is generally a free-flowing game, with play stopping only when the ball has left the field of play or when play is stopped by the referee. After a stoppage, play recommences with a specified restart.[8]
At a professional level, most matches produce only a few goals. For example, the 2005–06 season of the English Premier League produced an average of 2.48 goals per match.[9] The Laws of the Game do not specify any player positions other than goalkeeper,[10] but a number of specialised roles have evolved. Broadly, these include three main categories: strikers, or forwards, whose main task is to score goals; defenders, who specialise in preventing their opponents from scoring; and midfielders, who dispossess the opposition and keep possession of the ball in order to pass it to the forwards. Players in these positions are referred to as outfield players, in order to discern them from the single goalkeeper. These positions are further subdivided according to the area of the field in which the player spends most time. For example, there are central defenders, and left and right midfielders. The ten outfield players may be arranged in any combination. The number of players in each position determines the style of the team's play; more forwards and fewer defenders creates a more aggressive and offensive-minded game, while the reverse creates a slower, more defensive style of play. While players typically spend most of the game in a specific position, there are few restrictions on player movement, and players can switch positions at any time.[11] The layout of a team's players is known as a formation. Defining the team's formation and tactics is usually the prerogative of the team's manager.[12]

about soccer

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"Soccer" redirects here. For other uses, see Soccer (disambiguation).

A player (wearing the red kit) has penetrated the defence (in the white kit) and is taking a shot at goal. The goalkeeper will attempt to stop the ball from crossing the goal line.
Association football, commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of eleven players, and is widely considered to be the most popular sport in the world.[1][2][3][4][5] It is a football variant played on a rectangular grass or artificial turf field, with a goal at each of the short ends. The object of the game is to score by manoeuvring the ball into the opposing goal. In general play, the goalkeepers are the only players allowed to use their hands or arms to propel the ball; the rest of the team usually use their feet to kick the ball into position, occasionally using their torso or head to intercept a ball in midair. The team that scores the most goals by the end of the match wins. If the score is tied at the end of the game, either a draw is declared or the game goes into extra time and/or a penalty shootout, depending on the format of the competition.
The modern game was codified in England following the formation of The Football Association, whose 1863 Laws of the Game created the foundations for the way the sport is played today. Football is governed internationally by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (International Federation of Association Football), commonly known by the acronym FIFA. The most prestigious international football competition is the FIFA World Cup, held every four years. This event, the most widely viewed in the world, boasts an audience twice that of the Summer Olympic Games.[6]