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MIAMI GARDENS — The coin toss is such an afterthought at soccer matches that TV commentators and fans barely notice it’s happening.
News flash: You might want to pay attention to it before kickoff of the World Cup quarterfinal between Norway and England at Hard Rock Stadium on July 11, because it could be a major factor as to who moves on to the semifinals.
Blame it on a combination of the early kickoff (5 p.m. EST), the sun and how the stadium is situated, all adding up to the likelihood that one goalkeeper will battle a potentially blinding glare while the other patrols a net in the shade.
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It hasn’t been a factor in the previous World Cup matches at Hard Rock because they’ve started at least one hour later. But as an image taken at 5 p.m. before the Colombia-Portugal match shows, the east goal is completely in the sun at that hour while the west is shaded.
And no, it’s not the same for both keepers because they switch ends for the second half. By about 6 p.m., the setting sun and canopy at Hard Rock likely will conspire to minimize or eliminate the advantage for the team attacking the east goal.
And if you still aren’t convinced, know that FIFA considers stadium orientation “crucial” to fair play. So do fans and players on the Dallas Cowboys, where the late-afternoon glare at AT&T Stadium has had tempers sizzling hot over the years. (AT&T runs east-west.)
When Cowboys receiver George Pickens complained he couldn’t locate passes because of the sun shining through glass on the western side of the stadium, fellow receiver CeeDee Lamb said, “Welcome to Dallas, bro.”
Owner Jerry Jones bristled at the thought his crown jewel was anything but perfect, saying, “We do know where the damn sun is going to be in our own stadium. Let’s just tear the damn stadium down and build another one. Are you kidding me?”
FIFA, an organization not renowned for its sense of humor, set Jones straight — curtains were installed at AT&T to block the sunlight for the World Cup match between Japan and Sweden.
Most goalkeepers would say facing a blistering shot from England’s Harry Kane or Norway’s Erling Haaland is challenging enough without the added problem of the sun impeding your view.
It may not be something the average fan spends much time thinking about, but FIFA does. It urges the construction of soccer stadiums on a north-south axis.
“The orientation of the stadium is crucial to the overall design,” FIFA says in its bylaws. Before breaking ground, FIFA adds, “It is advisable that a sun path/trajectory study be undertaken.”
In all likelihood, Miami Dolphins founder Joe Robbie didn’t need a sundial when he finalized plans to build his stadium. It’s no accident the facility runs east-west. That’s how the Dolphins’ sideline is assured of shade the majority of the time.
The visiting team? Not so lucky.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Coin toss could be big factor in Norway-England World Cup quarterfinal
Continue reading...
News flash: You might want to pay attention to it before kickoff of the World Cup quarterfinal between Norway and England at Hard Rock Stadium on July 11, because it could be a major factor as to who moves on to the semifinals.
Blame it on a combination of the early kickoff (5 p.m. EST), the sun and how the stadium is situated, all adding up to the likelihood that one goalkeeper will battle a potentially blinding glare while the other patrols a net in the shade.
Buy World Cup tickets at StubHub
It hasn’t been a factor in the previous World Cup matches at Hard Rock because they’ve started at least one hour later. But as an image taken at 5 p.m. before the Colombia-Portugal match shows, the east goal is completely in the sun at that hour while the west is shaded.
You must be registered for see images
And no, it’s not the same for both keepers because they switch ends for the second half. By about 6 p.m., the setting sun and canopy at Hard Rock likely will conspire to minimize or eliminate the advantage for the team attacking the east goal.
And if you still aren’t convinced, know that FIFA considers stadium orientation “crucial” to fair play. So do fans and players on the Dallas Cowboys, where the late-afternoon glare at AT&T Stadium has had tempers sizzling hot over the years. (AT&T runs east-west.)
When Cowboys receiver George Pickens complained he couldn’t locate passes because of the sun shining through glass on the western side of the stadium, fellow receiver CeeDee Lamb said, “Welcome to Dallas, bro.”
Owner Jerry Jones bristled at the thought his crown jewel was anything but perfect, saying, “We do know where the damn sun is going to be in our own stadium. Let’s just tear the damn stadium down and build another one. Are you kidding me?”
Curtains installed at AT&T Stadium to block sunlight during World Cup
You must be registered for see images attach
FIFA, an organization not renowned for its sense of humor, set Jones straight — curtains were installed at AT&T to block the sunlight for the World Cup match between Japan and Sweden.
Most goalkeepers would say facing a blistering shot from England’s Harry Kane or Norway’s Erling Haaland is challenging enough without the added problem of the sun impeding your view.
It may not be something the average fan spends much time thinking about, but FIFA does. It urges the construction of soccer stadiums on a north-south axis.
“The orientation of the stadium is crucial to the overall design,” FIFA says in its bylaws. Before breaking ground, FIFA adds, “It is advisable that a sun path/trajectory study be undertaken.”
In all likelihood, Miami Dolphins founder Joe Robbie didn’t need a sundial when he finalized plans to build his stadium. It’s no accident the facility runs east-west. That’s how the Dolphins’ sideline is assured of shade the majority of the time.
The visiting team? Not so lucky.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Coin toss could be big factor in Norway-England World Cup quarterfinal
Continue reading...
