Match analysis about relationship between the rank and the first goal in the male Kanto university soccer league

<p>This study aimed to investigate the relationship between first goals and final league position using game statistics for the Kanto University Football First Division League and to identify fundamental findings for better performance. The data comprised 132 games from the 2019 Kanto University Football First Division League. Match results published on the official website of the Kanto University Football Association were used to categorize matches into those in which the first goal was scored and those in which the first goal was conceded, and the win rate, points acquisition rate in the first goal-scored or conceded games, average goals scored per season, average goals conceded, and average goal difference were calculated. Based on the final ranking, the teams were classified into three groups: higher, middle, and lower. The findings of this study are as follows.: (1) The lower-ranked group had significantly fewer opportunities to score the first goal than the higher-ranked group and had a significantly lower winning rate in matches in which they did score the first goal. Therefore, the lower-ranked group did not win as many matches as the higher-ranked group. (2) Comparing the lower-ranked group with the middle-ranked group, the lower-ranked group had a significantly lower percentage of the points acquisition rate in the first goal-scored games. Therefore, to perform better, the lower-ranked group needs to increase at least the number of draws in matches in which they scored the first goal. (3) Comparing the higher-ranked and middle-ranked groups, the win and points acquisition rates in the first goal-scored games were similar. However, the higher-ranked group had significantly more opportunities to score first. Therefore, the middle group must score the first goal in more games to get closer to the top group.</p>