100% record
When a team wins all of their games in a competition or tournament we say that they have a 100% record. For example, if a team wins all three of their group matches in a tournament we can say that they have a 100% record.
50-50 challenge
A 50-50 challenge is a tackle when two players both go for the ball at the same time. Both players have the same possibility of winning the ball and so we say it is a '50-50 tackle'
Acres of space
If a player receives the ball with no opposing player near them, they are ‘in space' – they have time to move, pass or shoot. If a player has the ball and is in a lot of space, you can say they are in ‘acres of space‘. When this happens...
Across the face of goal
The face of goal is the area in the six yard area just in front of the goal-line. You can also call this area the 'corridor of uncertainty'. When the ball travels across the goal - across the face of goal - it is often very difficult for the goalkeeper...
After Extra Time
Extra time refers to the 30 minutes added to the regular 90 minutes in order to decide a game after a draw. In cup matches after extra time (aet) refers to the result when a game goes into extra time; so for example 3-2 (aet) means that a team won...
B Team
The B-team is not the first team but the second team. Players that are not quite good enough to play for the main or first team play for the B team. An alternative phrase is the 'reserve team'. Example: Many Premier League sides play their B-team in the Carling Cup...
Becks
This is the nickname for England football player David Beckham. 'Becks' is a shortened form of Beckham. http://gty.im/78973019 [glossary_dictionary term="term name"]
Cagey
To be cagey means to be cautious and in football it describes when a team does not want to be too adventurous in their play; they don't want to attack too much in case the opposition counter attacks them. If you are cagey about something, you do not give...
Dark horse
A dark horse in football is a team that has an outside chance of winning a competition or a cup. This team is not expected to win - it is not among the favourites - but if things go their way they might surprise people and win.
Eliminate
The verb to eliminate is used to describe a situation when a team has been knocked out of a competition - the team is no longer involved in that competition. For example, 'Fiorentina eliminated Tottenham', while the passive form is also used quite frequently: 'Spurs were eliminated in the last...