Performance Indicators of Winning vs Losing Teams in the 2024 Malaysia Super League

Performance indicators in football are measurable metrics used to assess and analyze a team’s or player’s performance during a match or season. Understanding the differences between winning and losing teams is crucial for enhancing competitive strategies in football. This study aimed to compare the differences in performance indicators between winning and losing teams in the Malaysia Super League (MSL) 2024. Methods: A total of 143 professional soccer players (N = 143) were involved during data collection. Twenty-six (N = 26) match data were recorded during the first round of MSL using a Sony HDR-CX405 camcorder and analyzed using LongoMatch software. Performance indicators examined included number of passes, ball possession, number of shots (on and off target), and goals. An Independent Sample T-Test was used to investigate the differences between winning and losing teams. The results showed significant differences in the number of passes (311 ± 0.96: 227 ± 0.71, P ≤ 0.05), ball possession (6.5 ± 1.86: 3.72 ± 0.99, P ≤ 0.05), and on-target shots (4.09 ± 1.24: 2.05 ± 0.55, P ≤ 0.05). However, no significant differences were found in total shots (3.70 ± 2.02: 2.67 ± 1.17, P ≥ 0.05), off-target shots (0.38 ± 1.02: 5.30 ± 2.40, P ≥ 0.05), and goals (0.52 ± 0.64: 5.1 ± 3.74, P ≥ 0.05). The findings suggest that passing efficiency, ball control, and shooting accuracy are critical indicators of success in the MSL. These insights can assist coaches and analysts in improving team performance through data-driven strategies.