Football Market Definitions

A goal is credited to the player who scored it. In the case of an own goal, it is credited to the defending player.

If there is any dispute about the assignment of the goal to a player, OPTA will apply its own rules and, when appropriate, align its decision with the official competition body.

An assist is the final touch by a teammate that enables the ball recipient to score a goal.

If the ball is deflected by an opposing player, the assist may still be credited as long as the pass was directed toward the scorer, regardless of the deflection.

No assist is awarded in the case of an own goal, direct free kick goal, or direct corner kick goal.

The same rule applies to penalties, except when the player taking the penalty decides to pass the ball for another player to score.

This event is credited to the player who is in an offside position when a free kick is awarded.

If two or more players are in an offside position when the ball is played, the offside will be attributed to the player considered to be most actively involved in the play.

This is a deliberate attempt to score directed toward the goal.

It includes all goals scored, shots on goal saved by the goalkeeper, and shots on goal blocked by a last-line defender preventing the ball from entering the goal.

A shot is any deliberate attempt to score a goal.

It includes attempts that are stopped by the goalkeeper, blocked by a defender, or that completely miss the target.

A save occurs when a goalkeeper prevents the ball from entering the goal with any part of their body, in response to an intentional attempt by an opposing player.

Saves can be classified according to:

• Body part: hands, feet, body, or fist.
• Type of save: catch, gather, safe clearance, danger cleared, hesitation, or fingertip.
• Goalkeeper position: dive, standing, sliding, reaching, or crouching.

They may also include unintentional or misdirected efforts toward the goal by the goalkeeper’s teammates, provided the intervention is not considered a routine ball collection.

Important notes:

• If after the goalkeeper’s intervention a more prominent defensive action by a teammate prevents the ball from entering the goal, the action will be categorized as a defender block and not a goalkeeper save.
• If the ball goes out over the goal line due to the goalkeeper’s intervention, the referee must award a corner kick for the action to be recognized as a save.

A tackle is defined as a legal, ground-level action where a player successfully takes the ball from an opponent who has controlled possession.

The opposing player must have controlled possession of the ball for the action to be considered a tackle.

Both successful and unsuccessful tackles are categorized as tackles. The difference depends on where the ball goes after the challenge.

• Successful tackle: considered successful when the player making the tackle or one of their teammates recovers possession, or when the ball goes out of play and is in a safe area.
• Unsuccessful tackle: considered unsuccessful when the tackle is made but the ball ends up in possession of an opposing player.

A pass is an attempt to deliver the ball from one player to a teammate.

The player may use any part of the body allowed by the rules of the game to execute a pass.

Event categorization includes:

• Open play passes
• Goal kicks
• Corner kicks
• Free kicks played as passes

Crosses, goal kicks, and throw-ins are not counted as passes.

A goal kick is considered when the ball completely crosses the goal line after last being touched by an attacking team player and the referee officially awards a goal kick.

Only goal kicks taken during the regular match time, i.e., 90 minutes plus added time, are counted.

In this market, only cards officially shown by the referee during regular match time, i.e., 90 minutes plus added time, are considered.

According to our rule 3.1.62, the counting is as follows:

• Yellow card: counts as 1 card.
• Second yellow card: not counted independently for settlement purposes.
• Red card: counts as 2 cards.

A player may accumulate a maximum of 3 cards.

Not considered:

• Cards shown after the match has ended.
• Cards to players who did not enter the field.
• Cards to players who had already left the field.
• Cards to coaching staff or bench personnel.

In this market, only corner kicks officially taken during regular match time, i.e., 90 minutes plus added time, are considered.

Only corners awarded and taken in accordance with official referee decisions are counted.

Corners that are not taken will not be counted.