.jpg)
In a groundbreaking move that combines technology with soccer, researchers from Shanghai's National Chiao Tung University, in collaboration with Alibaba, have developed the "MatchVision" system. This innovative system is capable of identifying and analyzing key events during matches, as well as generating automatic text commentary.
The system is powered by a vast database, "SoccerReplay-1988," which is considered the largest of its kind in the football world. It includes approximately 1,988 matches from major European leagues and the UEFA Champions League, spanning from 2014 to 2024, totaling 3,300 hours of video with detailed annotations for training artificial intelligence algorithms.
One of the standout features of "MatchVision" is its ability to recognize 24 different types of sporting events, such as goals, shots, fouls, offside calls, and tactical changes in ball possession. Additionally, it can assess rule violations from multiple angles, evaluating their severity, which enhances the fans' understanding of important moments during matches.
In performance tests, the system achieved an 84% accuracy rate in event recognition, outperforming all competing models in the field of automatic text commentary generation. This technology goes beyond just understanding on-field actions it also provides clear, easily comprehensible explanations, such as the reasons behind specific errors and the significance of their consequences.
The developers of "MatchVision" plan to release the code and model on GitHub, further advancing the automation of sports video analysis and contributing to the enhancement of systems like VAR. This innovation highlights how artificial intelligence can serve as an invaluable tool not only for commentators and coaches but also for fans seeking a deeper understanding of the game of soccer.