The soccer documentary, How To Win The FIFA World Cup™, presents football statistics and scientific insight from previous FIFA World Cup™ tournaments and recent national team performances in a compelling and entertaining way. Screening on SABC1 Mzansi Fo Sho at 12 noon, just before the World Cup opening ceremony on Friday, 11 June, it highlights the key tactical requirements needed to win the tournament.
Scientists in the 60-minute programme believe that although Brazil “will win’, South Africa’s national team Bafana Bafana are the “best interceptors’.
Supported by 2010 FIFA World Cup™ sponsor Castrol, How To Win The FIFA World Cup™ examines the DMA – Defence, Midfield, Attack – of all 32 nations and will show where each team needs to improve in order to increase their chances of success at the tournament in South Africa this month.
The Castrol Predictor www.castrolfootball.com/predictor gives Brazil a 23.4% chance of success, making them favourites ahead of Spain (17%) and England (10.3%).
Banana Bafana is given only a 27% chance of success in their opening match. Castrol’s online forecasting tool predicts a 43% chance of victory for Mexico and a 30% possibility of a draw.
The study shows how South Africa’s defensive attributes are key to their success, with Bafana Bafana’s defence coming in 3rd place behind France and Paraguay according to data analysis from the previous five World Cups. South Africa is top of the 32 competing nations in successful interceptions per game (59.7) and 2nd behind France with 10 ball recoveries per game, suggesting that South Africa must be tenacious and press the opposition.
Viewers will learn how the Germans actually out-dribble Brazilians; that the French are excellent at intercepting opposition attacks; why England miss so many penalties and who are the “dirtiest’ team and why it costs them.
South Africa must also improve with the ball at their feet. They have the most unsuccessful passes per game (88.7), and the 5th worst successful pass % rate (75.3%). A better idea would be to run with the ball using their wide men, with South Africa coming 2nd only to Nigeria for beating opponents, an average of 13.7 times per match.
The programme will also reveal which sides are most vulnerable at corners, who scores most from free kicks and open play as well as some more quirky facts such as how the colour of a goal keeper’s jersey can influence his chances of saving a penalty.
Commenting on the documentary, Des Johnson, Global Brand Director of programme sponsors Castrol, said:
“While you will never be able to account for moments of pure skill, good luck or bad fortune, Castrol’s detailed analysis of previous tournaments and the teams’ recent performances can give valuable insights into how winning performances can be achieved.’
“This documentary has done all the hard work and analysis for fans and then presented the findings in an engaging way that makes it a “must’ watch for supporters everywhere.’
