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First eleven’s departures (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

asides

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'departures' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.

'first eleven's' is the wordplay.
'first' becomes 'a'.
'eleven's' becomes 'side's' (a football side).
'a'+'sides'='ASIDES'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for asides that I've seen before include "Stage whisper" , "Actors' remarks in an undertone" , "Words spoken so that certain people won't hear" , "Incidental remarks" , "They're not heard by everybody" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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