Soccer, often called “the beautiful game,” is played and loved by millions around the globe. Like many sports, soccer has its own set of abbreviations and jargon that might seem confusing to newcomers or casual fans. One such commonly used term is “FT.”
Whether you’re reading match reports, live score updates, or discussing the game with fellow enthusiasts, understanding these abbreviations is key to fully grasping the nuances of the sport. In this article, we’ll dive into what FT means in soccer, its significance, and how it fits into the broader context of the game.
What Does FT Mean in Soccer?
In soccer, FT stands for “Full Time.” This term signals the end of a match, including both the regular 90 minutes of play and any stoppage time added by the referee. When the game reaches full time, the referee blows the final whistle, stopping the clock and finalizing the score.
No more play occurs after FT, and whatever the score is at that moment becomes the official result, even if both teams are tied. Fans typically see FT appear on their screens once the match is over, replacing the live game clock to indicate that the game has concluded. Later, FT may show up alongside other match scores, signifying that those games are also finished, and the highlighted scores are final.
For fans of other sports like basketball, FT is similar to seeing “Final” next to the score.
The Length of a Soccer Match: The Basics
A standard soccer match is played over two halves, each lasting 45 minutes, making the total playing time 90 minutes. Whether you’re watching your favorite national team in a tournament, a professional club, or a youth team, this 90-minute duration is standard. However, when the clock hits 90 minutes, the match doesn’t always end immediately. The game often continues for a few extra minutes, known as stoppage time.
Stoppage Time: What It Is and Why It’s Added?
Stoppage time, sometimes called injury time or added time, is extra time added to the end of each 45-minute half. Its purpose is to account for the minutes lost during the game due to various stoppages, ensuring the teams get closer to a full 90 minutes of actual playtime. These stoppages might include injuries, substitutions, and time-wasting tactics.
How Stoppage Time Is Calculated and Announced?
The referee is responsible for deciding how much stoppage time should be added to each half. Toward the end of each half, the fourth official will hold up an electronic board displaying the minimum added time. It’s essential to note that this is only the minimum, and the referee can extend stoppage time if more delays occur.
The Importance of Stoppage Time in Soccer
Stoppage time can be crucial to the outcome of a match. Many games are won or lost during these final moments, as stoppage time gives teams a last chance to score or defend a lead. Because stoppage time is flexible and can vary depending on how the game unfolds, it adds an exciting element of unpredictability to soccer matches.
FT vs. ET in Soccer: Full Time and Extra Time
While FT refers to the end of regular play, another term, ET (Extra Time), is sometimes used in soccer. Extra time happens after full time in certain matches where a winner must be decided, like during knockout stages of tournaments.
Here’s the key difference:
- FT (Full Time) marks the end of the standard 90 minutes (plus stoppage time).
- ET (Extra Time) is added only in specific situations, extending play for two 15-minute periods when the game is tied after full time.
If the score remains tied after ET, the game may go into a penalty shootout to determine the winner.
How Full Time Can Be Extended in Tournaments
In most soccer matches, the referee signals full time after the standard 90 minutes of play (plus stoppage time), and that ends the game. However, in some competitions, particularly tournaments, a tied score at full time doesn’t mean the game is over.
In league matches, a tie is acceptable, and each team earns one point. But in tournaments like the World Cup or MLS playoffs, a winner must be decided to advance to the next round. In such cases, the game enters extra time after full time.
Extra Time: The Rules
Extra time consists of two halves of 15 minutes each, with a short break in between. If one team manages to score more goals during this additional time, they win the game. However, if the score remains tied at the end of extra time, the game moves to a penalty shootout.
In a penalty shootout, five players from each team take turns trying to score against the opposing goalkeeper from the penalty spot. If the score is still tied after these initial five kicks, the shootout continues in a sudden-death format, where teams take one shot each until one team scores and the other does not.
At the end of the shootout, the winning team is declared, and FT is finally reached.
What Leads to Stoppage Time?
Several factors contribute to stoppage time being added at the end of each half. Here are the common reasons:
- Injuries: Players may get hurt, and time spent attending to them is added back into the game.
- Substitutions: Each substitution usually adds about 30 seconds to stoppage time.
- Goal Celebrations: While scoring is exciting, the celebrations that follow take time and are included in stoppage time.
- Yellow or Red Cards: When referees issue cards, time is spent managing disputes or stopping play, which adds to stoppage time.
- Delays in Restarting Play: Situations like retrieving the ball or setting up free kicks and corners can cause delays, adding to the stoppage time.
- VAR (Video Assistant Referee) Reviews: In modern soccer, referees use VAR to check certain decisions. Any time spent reviewing decisions is added as stoppage time.
Conclusion
Next time you see FT next to a soccer score, you’ll know that it stands for Full Time, meaning the game is over and the result is final. You can now also explain to others how soccer matches are timed, what stoppage time is, and when full time transitions into extra time during tournaments.
