Watch the ‘icicle kick’ goal scored during soccer game in blizzard
Scoring a goal with a bicycle kick is one thing, but when you are playing soccer in the middle of a blizzard, a manoeuvre like that deserves a whole new name. WATCH THE INCREDIBLE VIDEO
READING LEVEL: GREEN
If you have ever grumbled at the thought of Saturday soccer on a frosty winter’s morning, spare a thought for these Canadian footballers playing in a blizzard.
Atletico Ottawa were crowned Canadian Premier League champions on Sunday after they defeated Cavalry FC 2-1 playing at their home ground in Ottawa, Ontario in subzero* conditions.
The match was played during a severe snowstorm that coated the pitch with a thick layer of snow. British media outlet the BBC reported the temperature was a chilly minus-8 degrees Celsius throughout the game. Play was also delayed repeatedly as snow was cleared from the pitch and lines every 15 minutes, with the goalkeepers using shovels to clear their boxes*.
A snowplough was also brought in to help clear the pitch and a disagreement erupted between the managers over whether players on the bench could stay in the dressing room to keep warm.
Despite the extreme conditions, play continued, with Ottawa player David Rodriquez scoring both his team’s winning goals, including a bicycle kick* goal described by media outlets across the internet as an “icicle kick” due to the freezing conditions.
The stunning icicle kick came after Cavalry had crept into the lead 1-0 thanks to a penalty goal from Fraser Aird. BBC reported Aird was bombarded with snowballs by the home fans after he celebrated with a knee slide on the snow.
Mexican-born Rodriquez did not seem to let the cold conditions and limited visibility* affect him as he leapt into the air to turn a miss-hit shot from his teammate into a stunning goal, equalising the score in the 40th minute.
After a failed sidekick from Gabriel Antinoro was sent into the blustery night sky, Cavalry FC did not clear their lines, let the ball bounce, and Rodriquez pounced.
He smashed the winter pink ball into the net and sparked sensational scenes of celebration as his teammates flocked to him in the corner.
The coaching staff dropped to their knees on the sideline as Rodriquez was left at the bottom of a pile of players in the snow.
Ottawa went on to claim the North Star Cup for the first time in their history when Rodriquez scored again in the 107th minute.
Fans were left to question the decision to even start the game.
One user on X wrote: “Can they even see the ball?”.
Another said: “Why are they playing in these conditions?
“Anywhere else this match would be delayed. Crazy, but what a goal tho’.”
Someone else added: “How on earth is the game not even postponed”.
Other people said: “Wait, how’s this game even allowed?”
This story first appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission.
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GLOSSARY
- sub zero: temperatures below zero degrees Celsius
- boxes: the two rectangular areas in front of each goal, also called the penalty area (18 yard box) and the goal area (6 yard box)
- bicycle kick: an acrobatic move where a player kicks an airborne ball backwards and over their head while facing away from the goal
- visibility: amount you can see due to all the snow falling
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QUICK QUIZ
1. What temperature was the game played at?
2. Why were there so many delays in the game?
3. Who scored the goals for winning team Ottawa?
4. Why was Rodriquez’s first goal labelled an “icicle kick”?
5. What colour was the soccer ball for this match?
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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Blizzard soccer
This game was certainly played in icy conditions that would’ve tested even the best soccer players!
Which skills and attributes did these soccer players need that they may not usually need in your average game of soccer? Outline some of the skills below;
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Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking
2. Extension
List the possible reasons as to why this game wasn’t postponed to another date in those atrocious weather conditions?
Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking
VCOP ACTIVITY
Read this!
A headline on an article – or a title on your text – should capture the attention of the audience, telling them to read this now. So choosing the perfect words for a headline or title is very important.
Create three new headlines for the events that took place in this article. Remember, what you write and how you write it will set the pace for the whole text, so make sure it matches.
Read out your headlines to a partner and discuss what the article will be about based on the headline you created. Discuss the tone and mood you set in just your few, short words. Does it do the article justice? Will it capture the audience’s attention the way you hoped? Would you want to read more?
Consider how a headline or title is similar to using short, sharp sentences throughout your text. They can be just as important as complex ones. Go through the last text you wrote and highlight any short, sharp sentences that capture the audience.