Decoding The Game
"The Game Behind the Game – Football Performance Analysis"
What is a Football Performance/Data Analyst?
Football Performance or Data Analysts, often referred to as “game analysts”, play a crucial role in modern football. Their job is not just about collecting numbers but about translating data into strategic insights that help teams gain a competitive edge.
Their responsibilities include:
📊 Match Analysis – Studying statistics like possession, shots, passing accuracy, and defensive actions.
🎯 Team & Opponent Analysis – Identifying strengths, weaknesses, and key tactical patterns of both their own team and upcoming opponents.
📹 Visual Reports & Presentations – Creating video analysis and reports for coaches and players to refine strategies before matches.
In short, Football Performance Analysts provide data-driven insights that can make the difference between winning and losing.
The Role of Game Analysts in Thai Football
Football analytics is not entirely new to Thai football. Some major clubs already have dedicated analysts, and with the rise of technology, teams have started integrating data-driven strategies into their game plans.
But what about the Thai national team?
Is there a dedicated Performance Analysis team?
To answer this, Off The Bench sat down with Saranpat "Netto" Boeploy, a Football Performance Analyst currently working with the Football Association of Thailand (FAT).
From Sports Science to Football Analytics
Netto’s journey began when the Thai FA posted a job opening for a sports scientist, which matched his background perfectly.
🎓 He holds a degree in Sports Science from Mahidol University, majoring in Football.
At first, Netto worked part-time, but his career took a major turn when Carles Romagosa, the then Technical Director of FAT, saw the potential of using video analysis in the Thai U19 national team setup.
💡 This was the beginning of Netto’s career in football analysis.
Working closely with Ekkono, the Spanish football development group responsible for reshaping Thailand’s youth football structure, Netto’s technical skills in computer analysis and video editing made him a perfect fit for the role.
Eventually, he was given the opportunity to train in professional game analysis courses and earned his certification as a Football Performance Analyst.
🚀 With further support from the Thai FA, Netto traveled to Australia for an exchange program with Sydney FC, gaining valuable international experience.
The Thai FA’s First Football Performance Analyst
Netto is considered one of the first dedicated Performance Analysts in Thai football.
His role is not limited to one team—he works across multiple youth and senior national teams, including the women’s national team.
However, not all national teams require his services. For example:
🔹 Masatada Ishii’s Thai senior national team already has its own analysts.
🔹 If multiple national teams play at the same time, the analyst team is split between assignments.
Currently, Netto has a small team of 2-3 assistants, but the workload remains intensive and highly detailed.
He acknowledges that Thailand still lacks the analytical manpower that top football nations have.
🏆 In Japan, every national team age group has multiple analysts.
📈 More analysts mean deeper insights and better decision-making.
Still, he remains optimistic, believing that Thailand is taking the right steps in integrating football analytics into its development programs.
How Important is Football Performance Analysis?
"It’s absolutely essential," Netto says.
Even though he majored in Football Science, he admits that football knowledge is vast, and analysts must constantly learn and adapt.
🔍 Modern football is no longer just won in 90 minutes—it starts long before kick-off.
📌 Teams now prepare to win before they even step onto the pitch.
Preparation includes:
✔ Player fitness management
✔ Team logistics (travel, accommodation, diet)
✔ Tactical planning by the coaching staff
A well-prepared team has a much better chance of winning. That’s why top clubs and national teams invest heavily in Performance Analysis.
And in modern football, you simply cannot ignore it.
A Day in the Life of a Football Analyst
Ever seen someone on the stands with a laptop and a camera, but they’re not part of the media?
That’s a Football Performance Analyst at work.
🎥 Recording games for detailed analysis
📂 Compiling statistical reports
📹 Editing and reviewing footage to highlight key tactical moments
Netto gives us an inside look at his daily workflow:
1️⃣ Recording & Collecting Data – Filming matches, either live or through professional software that gives access to game footage worldwide.
2️⃣ Game Analysis – Reviewing at least three recent matches of an upcoming opponent, studying tactics, player performances, and team dynamics.
3️⃣ Player-Specific Reports – Analyzing individual player strengths and weaknesses to improve their game.
💡 Example: If a forward scores but is out of position, a coach might be unhappy despite the goal. Why? Because it disrupts the team’s tactical structure—an analyst provides visual explanations to correct such behaviors.
4️⃣ Making Insights Easy to Understand – Netto simplifies reports:
📱 Players and coaches get QR codes—scan it, and the video analysis appears instantly.
📊 Tactical diagrams make it visually clear what needs improvement.
5️⃣ Identifying Weaknesses in Opponents –
Which defenders are weak under pressure?
Where does the opposition attack most?
How does their goalkeeper distribute the ball?
Football analysis is highly detailed—Netto even studies how a striker prefers to receive passes (on the ground, knee-height, etc.) to ensure better efficiency in attack.
However, the final decision always rests with the coaching staff. Analysts provide the data—but coaches decide how to use it.
The Future of Football Analysis in Thailand
Football analysis is still relatively new, but it’s growing rapidly.
Netto sees his career as "a continuous learning process."
🌍 Football analysis is evolving globally, and Thailand must keep up.
💡 He believes all analysts should train in coaching as well, as understanding tactics is crucial for deeper insights.
📊 In top nations, analysts work in teams—one records, another edits, another presents data. Thailand must build a similar system to compete at the highest level.
Can Football Analysis Be a Full-Time Career?
Yes. Football Performance Analysts are in high demand worldwide.
The Thai FA plans to expand analyst training programs, offering both:
✅ Online courses
✅ Certification programs
This will help create more experts in football analysis, ultimately elevating Thai football.
For anyone passionate about data, technology, and football, this is a golden opportunity.
And who knows? Maybe one day, Netto himself will be the one training the next generation of Thai football analysts.
📌 Follow Saranpat "Netto" Boeploy's journey:
🔗 Facebook: Saranpat Boeploy
🔗 Instagram: netto.limited
