Football

• A football match is played on a field measuring 70m wide and 100m long which is divided into two equal parts. At both end of the field lay a goal-line and goalpost which is 7.32m wide and 2.44m high. Each half of the pitch consists of goal area and penalty area.
• A football match usually takes about 90 minutes, which is conveniently divided into equal halves of 45 minutes including a 15 minutes interval.
• A coin is tossed to determine which of the team will start the game and in which direction the team wants to kick the ball. The first kick-off will usually start by placing at the centre of halfway line. The rival team cannot penetrate the centre –circle until the ball has been pushed.
• The objective of the game is to score more goal than the rival team. A team scores a goal when the ball hits the net of goalpost.
• The players are allowed to use any parts of the body except hands and arms to kick or deliver the ball. However, goalkeepers can touch the ball within the penalty area.
• When the team scores a goal, the game re-starts with kick off. Violation and encroachment will invite penalties and free kicks. When free-kick is being granted, the rival team must keep a distance of 10 meters away from the zone of free kicks.
• In case of penalty, only the penalized player and goalkeeper are permitted inside the penalty area for kickoff.
• A player who interfere the opponents such as tripping is issued warnings by the referee. A yellow card is shown as a first warning and red card to indicate second warning after which players is dismissed from the match.
• When the ball crosses the pitch, the game re-starts with throw-in; and if it crosses the goal line, then the game starts with corner kick.
• The scoring points for matches are shared during the round robin section of the tournament if they are drawn. However, during the knock-out stages, drawn matches must come to final resolution either using extra-time or penalty shoot-outs.
• A penalty shootout is referred when scores are tied at the end of extra time where each team will be given five penalty kicks. In the event of teams remaining tied after five penalties, then the shootout will be called off with single round of one kick each team to determine the winner.
• In the course of a match, only three substitutions are granted. No player can rejoin the match once he has been replaced.
• Due to tight schedule, the football preliminaries matches will commence before the opening ceremony of Olympic Games. The men’s football competition will be an under-23s event. However, all the countries are permitted to enter three older players in the team. In women’s football competition, there are no age bars.