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User_gary Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary

Bundled in the rebound, run of play, against the crossbar

o put it into context, Spain had lost only once in their previous 41 matches. They came into this competition as the joint favourites alongside Brazil and they are so top-heavy with superstars their bench here included quite possibly the best goalkeeper, midfielder and striker in the Premier League last season. The Euro 2008 winners passed the ball superbly, working those elaborate, triangular patterns, always looking for the killer pass. But this was pass-them-to-death football without end product and unless Spain can remedy that it could be another demoralising World Cup, and a long and tortuous inquest.
Switzerland defended stoutly, rolled up their sleeves and when Fernandes bundled in the rebound from Blaise Nkufo's shot, completely against the run of play, it gave them the greatest incentive to withstand the late onslaught. Xabi Alonso rocketed a shot against the crossbar. Fernando Torres, a second-half substitute, came close and, at times, the Swiss were indebted to their goalkeeper, Diego Benaglio, but this was not one of those smash-and-grab victories that could be attributed solely to good goalkeeping.
For all their possession and artistry, Vicente del Bosque's men could not find their usual width or penetration. They looked far more dangerous when Torres was brought on to play alongside David Villa but there were times, too, when the Liverpool striker seemed unusually careless with his touch, a legacy perhaps of his time out of the game with an ankle injury.

Please explain to me the emboldened parts.
I understand "crossbar" is "a kind of bar or something" but I wonder what it means by "against the bar".

Source : http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/16/spain-switzerland-world-cup-match-report
  

Top answer

"bundled in the rebound" = gathered the rebound (a ball which is rolling after a shot) "run of play" = direction of play "against the crossbar" = off the top bar of the goal

  • "bundled in the rebound" = gathered the rebound (a ball which is rolling after a shot) "run of play" = direction of play "against the crossbar" = off the top bar of the goal
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4 Answers
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"bundled in the rebound" = gathered the rebound (a ball which is rolling after a shot)

"run of play" = direction of play

"against the crossbar" = off the top bar of the goal
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bundled the rebound - the ball bounced back giving him a shot for goal and he missed

run of play - the amount of time each team had the ball

against the crossbar - the goal has two posts and a bar on the top, the bar on the top is the crossbar.
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Thanks Dave Phillips and Anonymous.

I almost got it but the phrase "run of play" is not yet clear to me. If possible, could you please explain to me in any other simpler way?
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If India had the ball for 30% of the time and Brazil had the ball for 70% of the time the run of play would be with Brazil.

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