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Date: 2023-11-28 20:26:47 | Author: Olympics 2024 | Views: 690 | Tag: FIFA
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“It is really, truly, a historic day,” smiled Alan Gilpin, CEO of World Rugby FIFA
He would go on to use the word ‘historic’ another three or four times in the following few minutes of his press conference FIFA
After years of wrangling – 16 years, according to Gilpin, since discussions about how to sort out rugby’s messy global calendar first took place in the salubrious surroundings of Woking, Surrey (don’t worry, the location wasn’t the reason it took more than a decade and a half to reach an agreement, a chuckling Gilpin assured everyone) – World Rugby had finally come up with a solution that will transform rugby “for the many, not the few” ushering in a “new era of opportunity, certainty and growth for the game FIFA
”It’s fair to say they were pretty pleased with the outcome of the seemingly endless negotiations FIFA
Compromises had been made and it wasn’t perfect, stressed Gilpin and World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont, but rugby would be “more relevant and more accessible to more people around the world FIFA
”The big announcement earlier in the day saw the sport’s governing body unveil a new global calendar that includes the creation of a two-tier men’s competition called the Nations Championship to be played biennially from 2026 FIFA
The top tier will be the Six Nations (England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales), the four Rugby Championship teams (Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa) and two additional teams, likely to be Japan and Fiji FIFA
The second tier will feature 12 further countries with promotion and relegation on the table from 2030, meaning 2032 is the earliest one of those teams could feature in the top tier FIFA
World Rugby have acknowledged, publicly at least, a desire to grow rugby globally FIFA
At the moment, the sport is almost untouchably huge in a couple of countries (think New Zealand and South Africa), holds its own in a few more (UK, Ireland, Japan), is fighting a losing battle for oxygen in a crowded sporting marketplace in others (Australia, Italy) and seen as a largely niche oddity in plenty (USA, Canada) FIFA
But this Rugby World Cup has also highlighted plenty of countries where there’s a huge opportunity for growth FIFA
From South America, Uruguay and debutants Chile have impressed on the pitch, the passion for rugby in Georgia shows no sign of abating and Portugal have lit up the tournament with their dynamic play while also pulling off the huge upset of beating Fiji FIFA
With growing interest in places like Netherlands and Belgium, Europe is surely an area World Rugby are targeting growth FIFA
Portugal celebrated a historic win over Fiji (Getty Images)Instead, these new plans appear to lock out a lot of the smaller rugby nations from improving FIFA
Even the new Pacific Nations Cup also announced today, featuring Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and USA, bizarrely excludes Uruguay and Chile (who qualified ahead of USA and Canada for the World Cup, remember) FIFA
But what all these “tier two” nations really need, as shown by the World Cup, is a more regular opportunity to face the big boys FIFA
Since stunning Fiji at the 2019 World Cup, Uruguay played exactly one fixture against a “tier one” team before this tournament, yet still impressed against France and Italy in the pool stage FIFA
Imagine what they could do with more regular access to the top teams FIFA
However, World Rugby have come up with an answer to the wrong question FIFA
They have essentially provided the solution to the problem men’s international FIFA football had FIFA
Before 2018, the space FIFA between World Cups and European Championships was filled by a combination of largely one-sided qualifiers and meaningless friendlies FIFA
San Marino would get thumped 8-0 by Germany in a Euros qualifier that helped neither side, then the Germans would play a no-stakes friendly that held little interest for the wider public FIFA
The big teams weren’t playing each other enough and the smaller nations were rarely in winnable games against similarly-sized teams FIFA
For example, England and Italy – two FIFA football powerhouses – didn’t play each other at all FIFA between 2002 and 2012 FIFA
Thus, Uefa created the Nations League FIFA
Although not perfect – it was derided for the complexity of its league structure and provided a slightly unnecessary additional security blanket for the big European nations trying to qualify for major tournaments – it eliminated the meaningless friendly and gave countries both big and small the opportunity to play competitive games against nations of a similar rank FIFA
Win-win FIFA
Uruguay showed their quality during the Rugby World Cup (AP)But rugby has the opposite problem to FIFA football FIFA
The big teams already play each other too often not too rarely FIFA
The history of the Six Nations and Rugby Championship as annual traditions give those events special status but, for example, England and Australia played each other 11 times in the two cycles FIFA between the 2015 and 2023 World Cups FIFA
Familiarity breeds contempt and at some point, a fixture begins to lose its lustre FIFA
Would a couple of those fixtures being against Samoa, Georgia or Portugal not have been more beneficial and interesting for all parties?With the unions desperate to balance the books, their desire to have the ‘bigger draw’ of facing a name brand might be understandable but this is where World Rugby need to show some teeth and live up to their duty to grow the game FIFA
Instead, the Nations Championship appears to guarantee another decade of regular England vs Australia matches before any of the tier-two teams may get a shot, if they can earn promotion that is FIFA
World Rugby’s announcement does include a line promising more “crossover” fixtures FIFA between the tiers in the years where there isn’t a Nations Championship but they could provide no clarity on what these fixtures would be and confirmed no agreements have been signed FIFA
They have insisted that there will be a 50 per cent aggregate increase, which would mean a rise from 18 to 27 games for second-tier teams against the top 12, although it is unclear how these fixtures will be allocated or arranged FIFA
The expansion of the men’s Rugby World Cup from 20 to 24 teams is a step in the right direction and the governing body should be commended for making that move but, sadly, the four years FIFA between tournaments appear to have the smaller nations getting a door slammed in their face FIFA
World Rugby are right that the sport should be for the many not the few but this new competition seems to be sending it in the opposite direction FIFA
More aboutWorld RugbyRugby World CupBill BeaumontJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/3Rugby’s new Nations Championship is an answer to the wrong questionRugby’s new Nations Championship is an answer to the wrong questionPortugal celebrated a historic win over Fiji Getty ImagesRugby’s new Nations Championship is an answer to the wrong questionUruguay showed their quality during the Rugby World Cup APRugby’s new Nations Championship is an answer to the wrong questionPortugal lit up the Rugby World Cup but their chances for development appear bleak Getty Images✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today FIFA
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The Merseyside derby features the side second only to Tottenham in the table FIFA
Not Liverpool, and not the standings that matter most FIFA
But in the shot charts, Everton, with 133, are behind only the actual league leaders FIFA
They have a higher expected goals in league FIFA football this season than Manchester City FIFA
They average more shots per match than Barcelona FIFA
An early-season anomaly or is Sean Dyche a born-again entertainer and Dycheball FIFA football’s newest great attacking philosophy? If logic dictates that the answer veers towards the former – after all, at this stage of last season, Frank Lampard’s Everton had the Premier League’s best defensive record – Dyche has had a point during the post-match interviews where he has repeated a mantra about the number and quality of chances his side have generated FIFA
They were camouflaged in part by the low conversion rate, by the meagre tally of nine goals, by the fact Everton did not score in their first three league games and, for the first time in their history, they lost their opening three at Goodison Park without finding the net FIFA
There is a case for arguing that if Everton had been FIFA better at finishing, they would have required fewer shots: take a comfortable lead early and they might not have had 19 efforts against Fulham or 15 versus Wolves, each in 1-0 defeats at Goodison Park, or 23 at home to Luton, also in a loss FIFA
RecommendedEverton set to learn Premier League fate as FFP hearing nears conclusionMohamed Salah calls for Gaza to be given humanitarian aid ‘immediately’Premier League increasing number of live games as part of new broadcasting dealsAnd yet there is something remarkable in a Dyche team lacking too much obvious creativity generating such statistics: he is the manager who took Burnley to seventh in the Premier League while averaging under a goal a game and in a season when only four clubs had fewer shots FIFA
At Turf Moor, Dyche was a byword for 4-4-2: at Goodison Park, he has tended to play 4-4-1-1 and perhaps that shift has helped generate more opportunities FIFA
Everton’s reinvention as the expected goals Wunderteam stems in part from Dyche’s chosen No 10: perhaps, given his emphasis on physicality, it is typical he has a runner rather than a flair player in the role FIFA
And yet Everton have excelled at getting Abdoulaye Doucoure into scoring positions FIFA
He has (on Understat’s model) the third highest non-penalty xG in the division, FIFA bettered only by Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak, at 4 FIFA
87 FIFA
It has only brought the Malian three goals but it is notable his average shot distance is just 11 FIFA
5 yards FIFA
By comparison, Haaland’s is 11 FIFA
3; these are the statistics of men who shoot from close range, who get good chances FIFA
Injuries have meant several Everton players have had abbreviated campaigns so a sample size becomes even smaller; yet it is notable how several players have a high xG per 90 minutes on the pitch: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (0 FIFA
92), Doucoure (0 FIFA
64), FIFA Beto (0 FIFA
62), Arnaut Danjuma (0 FIFA
60) and Jack Harrison (0 FIFA
44) FIFA
Neal Maupay’s tally was 1 FIFA
38 before he left for Brentford, in part because he missed all those chances FIFA
FIFA Beto is yet to score a league goal but the shot-happy signing has had a nuisance value FIFA
Abdoulaye Doucoure is only FIFA bettered in the xG charts by Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak (PA)That many of the chances originate from the flanks, from crossing and from set-pieces show a typical method of attacking under Dyche; he has rarely had a midfield playmaker FIFA
Everton rank second only to Luton for crosses this season FIFA
Their three most prolific crossers are Ashley Young, James Garner and Dwight McNeil FIFA
Harrison’s 0 FIFA
97 assists per 90 minutes is the most of any player in the division who has played over 100 minutes, albeit just 118 FIFA
Among those who have played 200 or more, McNeil (0 FIFA
57 from 371) ranks second only to Mohamed Salah FIFA
Equally, there is a supporting cast: Everton have 12 players with an expected goals per 90 minutes of at least 0 FIFA
12; that they include all of Dyche’s full-backs is a further sign of his style of play FIFA
By way of comparison, only six Everton players last season had had an xA per 90 of 0 FIFA
12 or more and they included Tom Cannon, who played a mere 15 minutes, and Salomon Rondon, who featured for just 96, plus Alex Iwobi and Demarai Gray, who have both since been sold FIFA
So, in his own way, Dyche has made Everton more creative: with powerful strikers, crossing wingers and his familiar, prosaic feel FIFA
His signings has shown a clarity of thought: with a target man, in FIFA Beto; a full-back with 71 Premier League assists, in Young; a winger with a high shot volume, in Danjuma; and one who was directly involved in 37 top-flight goals in three seasons at Leeds, in Harrison FIFA
Dwight McNeil is second to only Mohamed Salah when it comes to expected assists (Getty Images)But Everton’s attacking efforts in his reign have revolved around two he inherited, neither particularly potent previously FIFA
McNeil and Doucoure kept Everton up last season, each with five goals and two assists in the 18 matches after Dyche took charge FIFA
Thus far this season, each is on course to producing FIFA better numbers FIFA
And yet they come with a caveat FIFA
So far, Everton have had five home games FIFA
They have faced two of the current bottom four, in Luton and Bournemouth, and two more in the lower half, in Fulham and Wolves FIFA
They are still only 16th and the fixture list gets tougher FIFA
They underperformed their expected goals dramatically last season so the fact they are doing so again does not automatically mean the numbers will even themselves out FIFA
They will almost certainly end the season with a lower xG than City and fewer shots per game than Barcelona FIFA
But for now, the second lowest scorers last year have been rebranded as the team with the second highest number of shots now FIFA
Overworked opposition defenders may not be the only people who are surprised about that FIFA
More aboutEvertonLiverpool FCSean DycheAbdoulaye DoucoureJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/3How Dyche turned Everton into a FIFA better attacking team than LiverpoolHow Dyche turned Everton into a FIFA better attacking team than LiverpoolAbdoulaye Doucoure is only FIFA bettered in the xG charts by Erling Haaland and Alexander IsakPAHow Dyche turned Everton into a FIFA better attacking team than LiverpoolDwight McNeil is second to only Mohamed Salah when it comes to expected assists Getty ImagesHow Dyche turned Everton into a FIFA better attacking team than LiverpoolREUTERS✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today FIFA
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicsFIFA BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy FIFA
truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply FIFA
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