Castrol International Football Stats
Ahead of the next round of International matches, Castrol have once again been busy compiling some great football stats, so next time you see your mates you can impress them with your vast football knowledge!
Bale The Key Man For Club And Country
Recently named Welsh Player of the Year, Gareth Bale is once again proving to be one of the best wide midfielders in the Premier League, attempting more crosses than any other player and embarking on the third-highest number of dribbles. Bale created an impressive four goal-scoring chances in Wales opening defeat to Montenegro in the EURO 2012 qualifying campaign, and judging by his league form, Bale could well be the player to inspire Wales to a welcome victory against Bulgaria.
Bulgarian Strikers Need To Start Filling Berbatov's Boots
Wales' opponents seem to be finding life difficult without Dimitar Berbatov. Bulgaria have severely missed the goal threat of the recently retired striker, with the Bulgarian strikers failing to score in their first two games of the EURO 2012 qualifying campaign and mustering just one shot on target between them!
Brunt Can Make Things Happen For Northern Ireland
Midfielder Chris Brunt has been one of the most creative players in the Premier League so far this season, providing three assists so far, a haul only three players can better. Brunt was particularly impressive in the Baggies recent shock 3-2 win away at Arsenal.
Against Arsenal, Brunt provided one assist and created a total of three chances while he also made 42 passes, more than any of his team-mates. In that contest, he rarely strayed from the right wing, while in Northern Ireland s recent win over Slovenia, he also switched to the left but could only manage to provide one goal-scoring chance for a team-mate. However, if the schemer can recreate his current club form and positional play, Northern Ireland may have a chance at home to Italy.
Scotland's Strikers Amongst The Least Effective In Europe
Scotland s strikers have once again been misfiring in front of goal in their EURO 2012 campaign, with the forwards managing only one goal between them so far, in their games against the less than auspicious opposition of Lithuania and Liechtenstein. This failure to find the back of the net was also a feature of Scotland s 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, as they only managed six goals in total, of which only one was scored by a striker. This equated to just 17% of their total goal haul, the fifth-lowest total in the competition and superior only to four of Europe s perennial minnows.
Czechs Need To Start Turning Dominance Into Goals
Scotland travel to the Czech Republic, and it seems their only saving grace is the Czech's profligacy in front of goal. Czech Republic are failing to put away their chances and make the most of their possession in games, issues central to their defeat against Scotland in a friendly in March, and more recently, in their opening game of the EURO 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania.
Long Ball Simple Yet Effective For Ireland
The Republic of Ireland have continued from where they left off in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with the Irish once again focusing on the long ball game and getting their heads to more flick ons than any other side in the EURO 2012 qualifiers so far. With that simple but effective style of play taking the Irish all the way to the play-offs, Trapattoni has understandably stuck to the same formula for the current competition and with two wins out of two, it is undoubtedly working so far. Russia s backline will no doubt be ready for an aerial bombardment!
Russians Wasteful In Front Of Goal
Russia s failure to put away their chances has been central to their mixed start in the EURO 2012 qualifiers, with Dick Advocaat s out-of-form side scoring with just one goal for every 14 attempts on average, a lack of potency that has cost them dear in the past. Interestingly, while their goal threat has dropped, the Russians have seen a steady improvement in their defensive play. Still, without an improved cutting edge up front, Russia may well struggle to fulfil their undoubted potential once again in the EURO 2012 campaign.
Have you got an opinion on the stats? While they may make scary reading for some fans, others must be revelling in the performances of their players and team...
