Along with two Premier League games we focus on the quarter-final stage of the 2013 African Cup of Nations, with hosts South Africa hoping...
Tier - Level, rank, division - Example: In Spain, reserve teams are not allowed to compete in the same tier as their senior team
To top it all off - To make something better, to improve a great situation, to add the final touch (sometimes used in a sarcastic sense to...
Top-of-the-table clash: A match between two sides from the top of the league; a game between two of the best teams in the division.
Trophy - Cup, award, prize; Arsenal Ladies won two trophies last season; Arsenal haven't won a trophy since 2005 (as of 2013)
Two-footed tackle - A dangerous tackle using both feet that is 'over the ball'. When a player lunges at the opponent, usually with both...
The UEFA Cup - A club competition for European clubs though not as prestigious as the Champions League; The Europa League. Juventus, Inter...
Under-21 - European international tournaments for players under the age of 21. The Olympics allows players that are under 23.
Line up: This expression is used to describe a team's starting members and their position (to line up). The starting XI.
Ligament - body tissue connecting muscles and bones (especially, knee and ankle)
Leg - Tie, match, game. 'Leg' is used usually in competitions when teams play each other twice, over two legs.
Underdog - The team that no one expects to win (opposite of favourites), usually popular with fans (see also 'minnow').
Under Fire - This means to be under pressure, to be criticized and in danger of losing your job.
Underachiever - This is used to describe something or someone that fails to achieve or reach their potential.
What is the meaning of the phrase 'to land'? This is a word connected to transfers and means to sign a player...
La Liga: The Spanish top division, the Spanish League
Last Gasp - If something happens in the last minutes or seconds of a game it is known as last-gasp (e.g. a last-gasp equaliser, last-gasp...
On this week's football podcast for learners of English, we focus on the 'romance of the cup' and look at some of the language associated...
The Kop - This is the stand where traditionally the most vociferous (loud, enthusiastic) Liverpool fans used to stand.
The skill of juggling with a football using feet, lower legs, knees, chest, shoulders, and head, without allowing the ball to hit the...
Kit - What the players wear when playing (shirt, shorts and socks); sometimes referred to as football strip
Kick out - Throw out of a game or competition; disqualify.
Under par: (Also below par) A below average performance, a poor display compared to the usual standard
On this week's main listening report we look at some of the language of the FA Cup.
(a) Jinx: A curse or something that brings you a run of bad luck.
Jinking run: When a player dribbles with the ball to beat the opposing defenders. To jink means to move from side to side or to often...
Referee: The person who is in charge of the game, he or she controls the match ('The man in black' / 'The man in the middle')
How good is your knowledge of the 2013 African Cup of Nations? This is languagecaster.com's weekly football quiz with six questions for you...
Football glossary - What noun collocates with 'to miss' to mean an easy chance? Answer - a sitter
A screamer: A really hard shot, an unstoppable shot that usually results in a goal (a pile driver). Usually a screamer is a shot from...
Scissor kick - While in mid-air, a kick that moves the ball so that it travels behind you - usually a shot (bicycle kick). An athletic and...
The word 'scapegoat' is used as a metaphor for someone who is blamed for something bad happening.