Not much easier trying to explain the concept of aggregate goals.
What's so hard to explain. The team that scores more goals over 2 games is the winner - which is called aggregate. If both teams have the same number of goals scored then the second tie breaker is who scores more goals away from home.
All these news channels just have to repeat this line above and its explains it easily.
I explain it this way:
2 games, one at each stadium. Whoever scored the most goals over the two games goes through.
1st tiebreaker: Whoever scored the most goals in the other teams stadium.
2nd tiebreaker: Extra time at the end of regulation time in game 2.
3rd tiebreaker: Penalty kicks at the end of extra time in game 2.
Whoever had the better record during the regular season gets Game 2.
I've found that by using the term Tiebreaker, that most people get it. Using the term "Away goals count double" seems to lead to confusion.
In the 50's and 60's, the CFL used to have a two game total points between the first and second place teams. They later went to a semi-final and final arrangement, but there was a modified version of the rule that was invoked in 1986, when the third place team in the East division was truly atrocious.
O, Maple Leaf around the world, You speak as you rise high above,
Of courage, peace and quiet strength, Of the Canada that I love.
Remind us all, our union bound by ties we cannot sever,
Bright flag revered on every ground, The Maple Leaf forever
Quite right, use the local sporting vernacular to save confusion.
Besides, away goals don't count double, hence the confusion. For example, if you draw 4-4 in the 1st leg, a score of 8-4 doesn't carry into the second leg, requiring the away team to score 5 to advance...
So help me if I get seated next to the "how do away goals work again" crowd tonight..........
nice wee mention on bbc re our exploits v Montreal
http://www.bbc.com/sport/38166657
Also a little article La Gazzetta delo Sport in Italy
Championship runs do that sort of thing.
Globe and Mail, front page, above the fold.
Got home from the game last night and immediately switched on the TV to see how coverage was rolling. There was CFTO's Joe Tilley givin' it bifters with a well-written script doing him wonders. Until the winning goal, when he ID'd the scorer as Cherry-oo.
And had to laugh at TSN's resident haybale trying to sound enthusiastic about the result because it was in the same stadium as the Grey Cup.
All in all, pretty good coverage so far. But look what they had to work with.
I'm listening to the fan 590 supposedly discussing TFC and the MLS Cup and they are talking baseball.
cant wait for the dinosaurs that were forced to talk about the toronto fc or fc i told you so soccer is boring 0 0 tie.
ps...i must say TSN did a great job tonight.