Average Actual Playing Time
I compiled the data from all of the match reports from the FIFA 2010 World Cup into a spreadsheet. Here’s what I found in terms of Actual Playing Time:
In the average 90-minute match at the 2010 World Cup, the average actual playing time in a match that had a winner was 68.0 minutes. The average actual playing time for matches that ended in a draw was 67.2 minutes, a difference of less than one minute.
What’s this mean? Well, a couple things. First, these APT calculations INCLUDE the stoppage time, so even when the referee adds in time to a match, teams generally play 22-23 minutes less than the “full 90.” Second, the consistency between APT during matches with a winner and those ending in a draw is surprising. It suggests that regardless of the score, there can be incentives for time wasting.
