Learn English Through Football Podcast: Solo Effort

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Learn English Through Football Podcast: Solo Goal

In this week’s Learn English Through Football podcast we look at the phrase, ‘solo effort’ which describes a particular type of goal. We also look ahead to this weekend’s football, with a focus on Manchester City versus Liverpool. You can read the transcript for this podcast below, while you can also check out our glossary of footballing phrases here and visit our site to access all our previous posts and podcasts. If you have any suggestions or questions about the phrase or our podcast then you can contact us at: contact@learnenglishthroughfootball.com.

Hello

DB: You are listening to the Learn English Through Football Podcast.

Hello there everyone. This is the Learn English Through Football Podcast and my name is Damon. I hope you are well. What’s the weather like where you are? It’s a bit chilly and cloudy here in Tokyo. I’m guessing it will be chilly too in London, where Damian, the other half of the team is based.

Earlier in the week, Damian was at the Tottenham Stadium to watch Spurs vs Copenhagne. I wonder what he thought of the Micky van de Ven goal? It was an amazing goal, and we will be talking about the football language connected with that in the main part of the show. And after that, we’ll finish with my predictions for the Sunday game between Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League.

Stinger: You are listening to languagecaster.com (from a Spurs fan)

DB: Thank you for that message, which was from Akito a big Spurs fan from Japan. Why don’t you send in a stinger, a message like that, saying your name, which team you support, and ‘You are listening to Learn English Through Football.com’ in English or your language.Just record an audio and send it to contact@learnenglishthroughfootball.com.

We will have more stingers or messages throughout the show in different languages – try and guess what they are. We’ll let you know what they are at the end of the show.

Stinger: You are listening to languagecaster.com (in Chinese)

Football Language: (a) Solo Effort

DB: Right, on today’s show we are going to talk a little about that Micky Van de Ven goal and some football phrases and language to describe it. We’ll start with ‘a sole effort‘. Now, in football, a ‘solo effort‘ is a phrase to describe a goal scored by a player who individually creates and finishes the scoring opportunity. The player often dribbles past opponents and does not need teammates. Micky van de Ven’s goal against Copenhagen is a classic example.

Here is ESPN describing the goal: ‘van de Ven picked up possession close to his own half, broke up the pitch through multiple defenders and fired a clinical finish into the bottom corner.’

So he started the move in his own half, ran about 75 metres and beat 4 defenders before scoring.

Embed from Getty Images

In summary, a solo effort is when a player 1) takes control of the ball and drives forward alone; 2) beats multiple defenders using skill, speed, or strength; and 3) finishes the move with a goal, without passing or assistance.

Stinger: You are listening to languagecaster.com (in Indonesian) 

Football Language: Slot Home

DB: Now, in ESPN’s description they said van de Ven ‘fired a clinical finish into the bottom corner’. A clinical finish is an accurate shot that leads to a goal. We could also say that he slotted home. To slot home is to calmly place the ball in the net, often in a one-on-one situatioon with the goalkeeper. The emphasis is on calmness and skill rather than power.

Here is an example from a BBC match report on a Scotland v England match: ‘However, England’s classy play and intricate movement would pay once more as Harry Kane slotted home the visitors’ third after a mesmeric Bellingham assist.‘

(to) Break

DB: Finally, the ESPN desriptiion of van de Ven’s goal said he ‘broke up the pitch‘. To break, in football, means to move from defence to attack. It implies quick movement and moving the ball into the opponents half.

It is often used in phrases, such as ‘to break forward‘, which is similar in meaning to break up the pitch. Both describe direction – forward and up the pitch.

You may also hear ‘break the lines‘, which means an attacking team goes past the midfield or defensive lines.

Stinger: You are listening to languagecaster.com (a Liverpool fan) 

DB: OK, let’s turn now to predictions and the Manchester City versus Liverpool match.

Predictions: Manchester City v Liverpool

DB: Well, this is the big game in the Premier League this weekend and you ahve to say that Manchester City are favourites. Not only have they got a great record against Liverpool at their home ground, but their recent form has been better than Liverpool’s. Now, my team Liverpool did get some good results in their last two games, 2-0 against Aston Villa and 1-0 against real Madrid, both games at home, but before that they had a terrible run of form, so this game will show if Liverpool have turned a corner, and have got back to their normal selves.

Haaland for City is looking fearsome, scoring at over one goal a game. He just seems unstoppable when he gets the ball anywhere near the opposition box. Van Dyke and Konate will have to be at the top of their game to stop the Norwegian. I expect Liverpool to go with the sam team that player Real Madrid, with one change – Gakpo in for Wirtz.

I’d Take a Draw

DB: This is definitely a game to use the phrase ‘I’d take a draw‘, meaning if I could choose the result now, I would be happy with a point. Although all fans want their team to win, sometimes they feel that it will be difficult to do and that a drawn game would not be such a bad result. This is often the case when a team is playing away at a rival or against tough opposition and the the manager might feel that a point would be a good result. So, I’d take a point or take a draw with this match. I think it will end 1-1, which will suit the leaders, Arsenal.

Stinger: You are listening to languagecaster.com (in Urdu) 

Contact

DB: OK, we’re nearly at the ned of this week’s show, but before we go, remember to come and visit our site at LearnEnglishThroughFootball.com. Check out our huge glossary of football terms, we have a page on clichés about the beautiful game of football. And you can also leave comments and questions on our forum. Remember to leave a rating or like us on whatever podcast platform you are using.

Stinger: You are listening to languagecaster.com (in Turkish)

Goodbye

DB: Yes, you are listening to the Learn English Through Football Podcast and that message was in Turkish. Did you guess the other languages you heard on today’s podcast? First, we had a Japanese Spurs fan, followed by Chinese, Indonesian, a message from a Liverpool supporter, before hearing from an Urdu speaker. Send us your message in your language and we’ll add it to the show.

So, on the show today we looked at the phrases, ‘solo goal’, (to) slot home, and ‘to break’ – how would you say these phrases in another language that you know? Let us know by dropping us a line at contact@learnenglishthroughfootball.com.

Ta-ra!

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