SoCCER AND ITS GREATEST PLAYERS A NEvoniRNOURS Scoring the opening goal in a game is always something to celebrate and here Shinji Kagawa of Borussia Dortmund left does just that with his teammates during a match against Sevilla on Dec 15 2010 in Seville Spain David Ramos Getty Images But as any fan of the game knows clear rules and diligent officiating by referees not withstanding the football pitch aka soccer field has been host to a good deal of theatrics
INTRODUCTION over the years Players have been known to try to incur a penalty against the opposing team by using various forms of body language to convince officials of the grievous wrong done them lying flat on the ground or writhing in pain are two popular options for this desired outcome Vigorously objecting to either a yellow or red card are also prime oppor tunities for on field drama But theatrical embellishments aside as with any physical aggressive and demanding sport true inju ries are always a very real possibility and in a game such as this where body protecting equipment is at a minimum players must take care to be on their guard Players must also be in top shape for soc cer is a physically demanding sport A taxing game consisting of two 45 minute halves played straight through withа15 minute break in between it has spawned dazzlingly athletic stars the world over many of whom are pro filed in this book From Franz Beckenbauer to Zidane Zinedine and David Beckham to Cristiano Ronaldo soccer s all time legends and current stars are showcased within Whatever you happen to call it fútbol football association football or soccer to paraphrase legendary player Pelé it is a beau tiful game by any
THE GAME OF SoCCER The game of soccer or association football as it is properly called is the world s most popular team sport Virtually every country on Earth plays the game It has been estimated that at the turn of the 21st century there were some 240 mil lion soccer players around the globe and more than 1 3 billion fans One of the reasons that soccer is so appealing is because of its simplicity A ball and a bit of open space are all that is required to play and there is really only one essential rule players cannot touch the ball with their hands Many people are drawn to the athletic skill and quick thinking that soccer requires Brazil s Pelé perhaps Soccer teams line up in a generally standard forma tion though variations are used to increase offense and defense Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc IO
THE GAME OF SoCCER Corner A corner It maximum width 80 yd 73 m minimum width Toyd 64 m goal area o 6 yd flag flag 20 yd 18 3 m 5 5 m penalty area 18 yd 44 yd 40 2 m 16 5 m OY 0 0 0 oo 0 0 halfway line left е е 10yd 9 1 m O O outside inside inside outside left O right right forward forward center forward forward forward OO left halfback center right halfback halfback left fullback O N right fullback penalty kick mark Corner flag goalo goalkeeper Corner flag Byrd 73 m 8ft 2 4 m high II
