Weekly Football Phrase: A Soft Goal

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Each week the languagecaster team will explain a football phrase or cliche for learners of English who love the sport. On this week’s show we take a look at the phrase ‘a soft goal’. Click on the link below to learn about the word or phrase, while you can also read the transcript. You can also find many more examples by going to our football cliches here and our huge football glossary here.

Listen here: A Soft Goal.mp3

This week’s English for football is a soft goal. ‘Soft‘ in this phrase means ‘easy’. It also suggests that the defending team, were lazy and didn’t do their defensive work and therefore allowed a goal. A soft goal happens when a defender isn’t close enough to challenge the attacker for the ball. It can also be when a basic mistake is made – for example, at a corner the defenders don’t follow the attacker and allow a free header. Last weekend, Manchester United drew 4-4 with Everton. At most stages of the game, United were in charge of the game and two goals up, but in the last 10 minutes, Everton scored two goals. Man United boss, Fergie, said they were soft goals, and said his defenders needed to be better in the next game.