(to) Send someone off: The referee has to send off a player for bad conduct on the pitch. When a player receives a red card he has to leave...
When a team has to move down a division because of poor results. The club is generally occupying the bottom two or three positions.
Qualifier: Games played to decide which teams progress to the main tournament or knock-out stages of a competition. A game to qualify for...
La Selección: Nickname (In Spanish) for the Spanish international football team.
How would you say the score 0-0? Zero zero? Check out 'nil' in languagecaster's football glossary.
(to) Seal a deal: To complete a deal or transaction. In football we use it when talking about player transfers; the movement of players...
The 2014 World Cup qualifiers continue this week and we feature games from Europe, South America, Africa, Central America and Asia.
Scudetto: Name for the Italian league title (Serie A). It refers to a the winning shield. Teams in Serie A play for the Scudetto.
In the doldrums: To be at a low point; to be in a bad way
(to be) In the bag: Looking to be safe; the result of the game does not appear to be in danger.
International: Used when describing a game between two countries or to describe a player who has played for his/her country.
Injury time: The time added on by the referee after 90 minutes (See also: stoppage/added time)
injury: When a player is hurt during the match we can say that they have suffered an injury. If a team has many players...
An inept performance: A performance showing no skill; one that is clumsy or poor
The English for Football expression to stamp your authority on something has a basic meaning of showing who is in charge or demonstrating...
Today's English for Football expression is a classic footballing cliche - football is a funny old game.
The football phrase 'to set your sights on' means to have a goal, to decide you want to do something.
When a plan goes wrong, is not successful, and it results in a disaster you can use the phrase 'go pear-shaped'
Hooligan: Football supporters involved in violence; yob (hooliganism).
Holders: The current champions of a competition or cup (they hold the trophy)
Hat-trick: To score three goals in one game
Half-time: The break between the first and second half of a match.
The languagecaster team explain a new football phrase or cliche for learners of English who love the sport. Click on the link below to...
Hairdryer treatment: An expression used to describe how Sir Alex Ferguson (see Fergie) angrily shouts at players at half-time if they are...
(the) Group stage: The earlier rounds of a competition or tournament when teams play each other to determine which sides progress to the...
(to be) Gutted: To feel completely down; be absolutely shattered for example after a last-minute goal or dramatic defeat
(the) Gunners: Nickname of Arsenal Football Club
(to) Go down: To be relegated, to move down a division.
Goalless: When a game finishes without any goals being scored (0-0 / nil-nil).
Goal: When a team scores this is known as a goal
We also sometimes refer to the net or place where players have to score as the goal
Dressing room: The place where the players prepare for a match
To draw a game: When there is no winner in a match we call it a draw, e.g. 0-0 or 1-1 (In the US it is known as a tie)