View article

'If events recur in predictable ways (as days must follow nights, and new births compensate old deaths), then life includes pattern amidst the flux.'(Stephen Jay Gould, 1998)

The game of soccer can be differentiated in the world of contemporary sport for two reasons: first, because of its global popularity and second, the low frequency (and therefore high value) of scoring. Consequently, there is merit in the objective examination of goal scoring patterns that may determine the factors which ultimately lead to successful scoring opportunities. Much attention has been focussed on the analysis of goal scoring from a tactical perspective, such as the attacking methods employed in scoring and the number of passes involved (Jinshan et al., 1993; Garganta et al., 1997). These types of analyses are important for identifying the characteristics of successful team play. However, there appears to be few studies of other aspects of goal scoring, particularly the time at which goals are scored during match play (defined as goal scoring patterns). An analysis of this kind would provide useful information to both coaches and sports scientists, as the relationship between goal scoring and time would appear to be linked to those aspects of play which inherently change as a match progresses, such as physical conditioning and tactical play.