Effective playing time in the Chinese Super League

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyse the effective playing time during the 2012-2018 Chinese Super League seasons. A linear mixed model with crossed random effects was used to assess the effects of match and technique characteristics on effective playing time. The key findings are as follows. (1) Matches played between the top eight teams, a tie at half time and increased audience participation were associated with reduced effective playing time; (2) The effective playing time tended to be smaller in matches with red cards than in matches without red cards. In contrast, the effective playing time did not significantly vary among the outcomes of the matches; (3) Game interruptions (goals, corner-kicks, free-kicks and throw-ins) and destructive actions (yellow cards, red cards and fouls) had a significant negative impact on the effective playing time, while productive actions (shots on target) had a significant positive impact on the effective playing time.