Differences in Passing and Dribbling Success between Foreign and Local Players in the Malaysian Super League

Mohd Rabin, Muhammad Zuhdi (2020) Differences in Passing and Dribbling Success between Foreign and Local Players in the Malaysian Super League. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in dribbling and passing success rate between local and foreign players, and players of different positions within the Malaysian Super League (MSL). A total of 26 soccer players age (M =28.35, SD=3.48) years old. Twenty games were analysed for dribbling success and failure, as well as passing success and failure. Each player played a minimum of three games against one of the other top five teams within the MSL. Results showed no significant differences between local and foreign players in dribbling success (p = .52), dribbling failure (p = .64), passing success (p = .40), and passing failure (p = . 14). However, players of different positions were found to have a significantly different amount of successful dribbles per game (p = . 001) and unsuccessful dribbles (p = 000). Therefore, it is seen that nationalities do not affect players’ dribbling and passing success in the MSL and position does. The findings from this study indicate that players of different nationalities do not differ significantly in dribbling or passing ability in the elite clubs within the MSL. However, playing positions do have a significant affect the dribbling success of the individual, with defenders having the least number of successful dribbles comparatively to their positional counterparts. Thus, coaches within the MSL should concentrate on increasing the dribbling abilities of defenders in order to increase the number of successful dribbles they perform per game.