smother the shot means to block the shot, here, Rhodes tried to get in the way of the shot.
Consider the statement "A neat step-over by Rocastle sent Thomas hurtling in on goal but Rhodes moved sharply off his line to get in the way of the shot .". Is the statement "A neat step-over by Rocastle sent Thomas hurtling in on goal but Rhodes moved sharply off his line to smother the shot ." false? Yes/no/unknown