The whole point of tournaments like this is to encourage upsets. In fact, the whole point of soccer being scored the way it is is to encourage upsets. There have been studies that show that low-scoring games like soccer have a higher likelihood of upsets than high-scoring games like American football.
The chance of an upset is why lower lever teams play so hard. It's why higher-level teams still have to play their socks off instead of just cruising. It's why the goals that are scored are exciting goals, not just half-assed following of the play book. It's about not just being the best team technically, it's about being able to play at that level consistently. It's about having to work for a cup win.
If those muppets are so enamoured with stats, maybe they should just declare who the best team in the world is now from the stats of their player's league games, and then we can dispense with the world cup altogether and have a more accurate result to boot? No? Sounds ridiculous? Then this entire study is a waste of time.
As I say to Mac users bitching about hardware X not being available on the Mac: Were you aware that your preference was a minority position before you made the choice? Yes? Then sit down, shut up, and wait. You have no justification for your demands.
The whole point of tournaments like this is to encourage upsets. In fact, the whole point of soccer being scored the way it is is to encourage upsets. There have been studies that show that low-scoring games like soccer have a higher likelihood of upsets than high-scoring games like American football.
The chance of an upset is why lower lever teams play so hard. It's why higher-level teams still have to play their socks off instead of just cruising. It's why the goals that are scored are exciting goals, not just half-assed following of the play book. It's about not just being the best team technically, it's about being able to play at that level consistently. It's about having to work for a cup win.
If those muppets are so enamoured with stats, maybe they should just declare who the best team in the world is now from the stats of their player's league games, and then we can dispense with the world cup altogether and have a more accurate result to boot? No? Sounds ridiculous? Then this entire study is a waste of time.