Be on target in FIFA 10

So you're looking to score more often in FIFA 10, are you? Makes sense, seeing as goals are tough to come by in any soccer match, especially when battling the top teams from around the world. Whether you are playing club matches in South America, Europe or Africa, or playing internationally against national teams, you need to know what you're doing. So, gather up your Playstation 3 or your Xbox 360 and get ready to learn - here are some tips for beating the goaltender and getting more points on the scoreboard. To begin with, you need to approach each contest as a chess match, and be willing to take your time on the offensive side of the field. Look, we all know it can be frustrating to face a stingy defense, but there is no sense in taking shots that have absolutely no chance of going in the net. For almost any striker in the world, goals from over 30 yards out can be considered a miracle. Even the best players from Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona and Milan will struggle from that distance, not to mention the majority of "average Joe's" out there. Use strategy to find holes in the opposing defense and slowly pick them apart, making smart passes to open targets. With time, chances to score will open up, as defenders tire of chasing the ball across the pitch. It certainly isn't the prettiest style of play, but it will be effective, which is all you should care about when the stakes are high. By waiting for the right opportunities, there will be a whole lot more goals on the scoreboard and a bunch of wins in the record books.

Another very successful method for scoring goals is to make solid use of the through ball. By this, we mean a ball that is intentionally passed ahead of your running teammate, allowing him to both stay onside and gain an advantage upfield. Through balls are extremely effective and should be used liberally, especially when given one-on-one situations to work with. If you are confident that your striker can outrun the defender, hit Y or Triangle to send the ball ahead. Lobbed through balls can be even more effective because they are harder to block, but you will have less room for error and need to be cautious. Overall, any kind of through ball is one of the best ways to create scoring opportunities in both real life soccer and in FIFA 10.

Of course, the best way to take advantage of any great passing is to play with speedy strikers who are capable of running the ball down. You can find all of your favorite players from around the world in FIFA 10, but we're here to save you some time as you look for the best strikers to employ. Consider English squads like Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, along with teams from Spain such as Madrid and Barcelona. By selecting these, you are guaranteed to have superstars including Didier Drogba, Messi and Rooney. It will make a world of difference to your attack if you play with the best personnel, so say hello to a top squad and go from there.

Once you have the ball in the box, the chip shot is a highly successful method of beating the keeper, especially if they've charged towards you. Your opponent may elect to pressure your shooter by doing exactly this, but you'll be prepared to use the chip in these situations. Simply press L1 and tap the shoot button to loft the ball over the keeper and into the net, and be careful not to press down for too long. If done right, it's deadly for goalies that have strayed too far, and instant glory for you and your squad. These are just a few tips for FIFA 10, but it should help give you a leg up when it's time for online game tournaments and challenges. Go out there and show the best sports video gamers what you're made of!