Association football or soccer is the most popular sport on this planet. Almost 200 nations play the game. Let us learn the words associated with it.
Football A to Z
Assist: It is the final pass before the goal is scored. Many leagues offer prizes to players providing most assists in a season.
Bend it like Beckham: This term was popularised by the 2002 film of the same name. David Beckham has scored many memorable goals by 'bending' the ball or changing the ball's path in mid-air.
Clean sheet: A team is said to maintain a clean sheet when they do not concede a single goal during a match.
Diving: It is a form of cheating wherein a player falls to the ground in order to win a free-kick or a penalty. Usually there is minimal or no contact from the opponent.
El Clasico: It is a derby between rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid. It is the most watched football event after UEFA ChampionsLeague Finals.
Futsal: A spin-off of traditional football, it is usually played with five players, indoors on a hard surface.
Group of death: A group of death in a cup competition or international tournament is the group which is most competitive. In other words, most or all the teams in that group are strong.
Hooligans: Overzealous supporters known for destruction of team property, violence and unruly behaviour.
Intercept: A player is said to have intercepted when he cuts off a pass from the opposite team's player.
Journeyman: A player who has played for many teams over his career.
Killer pass: A perfectly placed pass that reaches the foot or the head of a teammate allowing him to score an easy goal.
Lost the dressing room: This idiom is used when players have 'lost' confidence in their team manager. Such situations arise when the manager is unable to find a healthy combination of players, shows favouritism and is unable to register wins for the team.
Midfielder: A player who is positioned between the defender and the forward.
Nutmeg: A nutmeg is a type of play wherein a player sends the ball between an opponent's legs.
Own goal: A goal scored by a player accidentally against his own team.
Parking the bus: It is an expression used for a team whose outfield players play defensively. It is a negative style of play used by teams to secure a draw or to defend a goal-margin of 1 against strong opposition.
Quadruple: Winning of four different titles during the same year.
Retired numbers: Jersey numbers that are withdrawn and unavailable to new players in a team in honour of a significant player who had worn that number.
Shielding: A defensive technique wherein the defender puts his body between the ball and the opponent in order to prevent the opponent from reaching the ball.
Tiki-taka: It is a style of play consisting of short passes, fluent movement and keeping possession of the ball. The style is primarily associated with FC Barcelona.
Utility player: A player who can play in different roles. For example: A player may primarily be a defender but he can be deployed into the midfield or as a striker.
Vanishing spray: Aerosol paint applied to the football pitch to provide a temporary visual marker.
Wembley: England's biggest football stadium and home to England's national team.
Yo-yo club: A team that is regularly promoted and relegated to higher and lower league levels.
Zonal marking: A defensive play wherein the defenders are given a particular area to defend as against 'Man-marking' in which defenders defend against particular players.
