Say what?!

Greetings
I've noticed quite a few fresh faces reading our blog, some of which have no previous experience of The Beautiful Game. So, this is especially for you, to help get you 'up to speed'

Football terminology. Some absolute gems going around. Today we'll list a few and relate these to certain players.



"Good going forward"
A term used often when describing defenders/fullbacks from South America [particularly Brasil]. Roberto Carlos. Dani Alves. Cafu. The saying goes "the best form of defense is attack", and these gents certainly worked that statement.

"Good in the air"
Usually used when speaking about the lanky footballers. For Messi's diminutive stature, he certainly does get up well...so you see where that's going. 

"An eye for a pass"

Seba Veron, definitely goes in this category. An example of his dominance is the game against Greece in the FIFA World Cup where he racked up 153passes, completing 133 of them. A record. Another player with great ability with ball at feet is Guti. Video evidence to prove.

"Hard in the tackle"

There's a few hard-men in the game who would hold nothing back when going in for the ball. Roy Keane certainly right up there. The above video shows some good examples of this. There's also this, but only open if you're really ready for some extreme scenes


 "Goes down easily"
More simply put 'diving twat'. No ladies, this isn't what you're thinking....see a previous write, entitled #stayonyourfeet for a deeper look at the players who fit the profile.


"Mercenary"
Another term where footballers take the beauty out the game. Very few one-club-men around anymore, with players jumping ship as soon as the cheque book's out. There are extremists though. Mercenaries. Those who [un]ashamedly change their allegiance for the sole purpose of earning more money. See Pascal Chimbonda and Carlos Tevez as examples. There are a few coaches too. Stand up Sven Goran Eriksson.

"It was a game of two halves"

Two UEFA Champions League finals spring to mind. MUFC vs Bavaria Munchen and of course the one I'll feature above. Epic come-from-behind, which very very very few imagined.

"He reads the game well"
Mostly with reference to central defenders. Players who not only do their defensive duties with aplomb, but also have 'an eye for a pass' which allows them to start quick [counter] attacks. Rio Ferdinand is right up there and so is Gerard Pique. You get me?!




 A couple of local ones

 "Hulle het n klomp name lekkers" 

A good example of this statement would be the Mamelodi Sundowns side. A team with an array of talent, yet it seems they're unable to turn that into success.

 "Hy's n krappertjie"

A term for a player with more than the usual amount of skill. One not shy to turn on the trickery to annoy opposition and possibly get the bejeeziz kicked out of him. Here's former Kaizer Chiefs player Scara Ngobese with a short insight into the term. At the same time we show respect to those who mourn his death. Special kinda talent he was.




That's it from me. Thanks for joining me as we talk the talk. Feel free to add your favourites in the comments section below.


Finally, remember, you're only as good as your last game.






Follow us on twitter
@potz56
@thembasweet
@bcm_82