World Cup 2018: Hand-held devices to provide in-game analysis to coaches

The late-Dutch great Johan Cruyff once said football is a game you play with your brain.

But now it’s a game increasingly played out using technology, with the World Cup in Russia set to showcase new ways to help coaches with hand-held devices, while on the pitch officials will be aided by video assistant referees (VAR).

Following on from the International Football Association Board’s decision to approve hand-held technologies on the bench, world governing body FIFA is allowing all 32 teams at the tournament to receive real-time support from an analyst throughout the duration of games.

“The software and infrastructure FIFA has put in place for the 2018 World Cup allows all teams a stable and secure connection between the match analysts located in the stands to the technical staff on the bench pitch side,” a FIFA spokesperson told CNN in a statement.

“By providing this dedicated platform, each team that chooses to use the system will have exactly the same capacity to provide visual and statistical data that can inform in-game decision making throughout the tournament.”

Sitting in the media section of stadiums, analysts will be able to track players’ movements from two optical cameras and send coaches annotated video clips on the team’s performance.

This information would then be sent to coaching staff through a tablet device, allowing the two to communicate with each other.

At the 2014 World Cup, information from analysts was only provided to coaching staff during halftime or after the game. The latest development also potentially levels the playing field for those nations who might not have been able to afford the technology to analyze their team’s performance.

Geoff Hurst, 1966 —

Did it cross the line? With the scores between England and West Germany level at 2-2 in the 1966 World Cup final, striker Geoff Hurst's shot hit the crossbar and deflected downwards. At first a goal wasn't given, but then allowed after consultation between the referee and linesman. The game ended 4-2, securing England's first and only World Cup victory.

Pele, 1970 —

Brazil's 100th World Cup goal, celebrated wildly by Pele, who jumped into the air with joy as his side took the lead in the final against Italy. The game ended 4-1 to Brazil -- their third World Cup victory.

Dutch great Johan Cruyff scored three goals in the 1974 World Cup, twice against Argentina in the second round and then against Brazil in a 2-0 win that sent Holland through to the final.

Harald Schumacher, 1982 —

An ugly moment. German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher clattered into France's Patrick Battiston, who was through on goal, knocking him unconscious at the 1982 semifinal in Spain. Schumacher was unmoved as his opponent was stretchered off the field.

Diego Maradona, 1986 —

"The Hand of God" needs little introduction. England vs. Argentina, the quarterfinal of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. A mis-hit clearance was heading into the hands of goalkeeper Peter Shilton, before a leaping Diego Maradona intercepted it with his hand, punching the ball into the net. The game ended 2-1, with Argentina going on to win the World Cup.

Roger Milla, 1990 —

One of the greatest ever World Cup celebrations. Roger Milla turned on the style at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, which saw his Cameroon team reach the quarterfinals -- the furthest an Africa team has ever gone in the competition.

Andres Escobar, 1994 —

An own-goal by Colombia's Andres Escobar had tragic consequences. Less than a week after seeing his team eliminated from the competition due to his error, Escobar was shot dead on the streets of Medellin, a murder linked to drug lords who lost huge amounts of money on the result.

A Dutch master at work ... Dennis Bergkamp stops Frank de Boer's pass dead, transferring the ball to his left foot as he twists past Argentina's Roberto Ayala. His third touch, again with his right boot, flicks it past Carlos Roa, the keeper. Three perfect touches to take the ball from a speculative punt upfield to what remains one of the ultimate moments of skill ever displayed in a World Cup.

2006, Zinedine Zidane —

A rush of blood to the head. With the 2006 World Cup final moving into extra-time, goalscorer Marco Materazzi muttered a few words to France legend Zinedine Zidane, who returned with a headbutt to the Italian's chest. In his last ever professional match, Zidane was red carded and Italy went on to win on penalties.

Luis Suarez, 2010 —

Another South American -- this time Uruguayan Luis Suarez -- another handball. This one, however, was less subtle. Suarez's hands prevented Ghana from bagging a winner in extra-time. He saw red, and Asamoah Gyan's whacked the resulting penalty against the bar. Uruguay went on to win on penalties.

Brazil vs. Germany, 2014 —

One of the biggest humiliations the World Cup has ever seen. Brazil has struggled for form throughout the tournament, which was being played on home soil for the first time in 64 years, and met an impressive German side in the semifinals. But few could have predicted what was to follow: a 7-1 demolition by the visitors, who went on to lift the World Cup trophy.

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Security attacks?

Tech company AZSportech will be providing performance analysis to Uruguay at the World Cup in Russia.

“This type of technology can set the precedent for the next World Cup,” AZSportech founder Krikor Attarian told CNN Sport, referring to the FIFA initiative. “By the time the next one begins, there would be more on offer to assist teams from all nations – it’s a good first step.”

However, is there a danger of a player’s performance or a team’s tactics being hacked?

“FIFA remains committed to preventing security attacks in general,” said FIFA.

“We perform regular risk assessments in a variety of areas, including cyber criminality, which enables the implementation of overall preventive measures in cooperation with national and international enforcement authorities.”

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Meanwhile VAR will be used to correct “clear and obvious mistakes,” such as to allow or disallow goals, award or deny penalties or if the referee disciplines the wrong player.

“Video refereeing will bring much more to the transparency of football,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said. “It isn’t going to be the solution to everything in football – what we want to do is avoid resounding mistakes by referees.”