Articles

soaps

2010-10-02T13:41:49Z

Soap opera videos

http://www.readbangkokpost.com/video/intro.wmv
http://www.readbangkokpost.com/video/soap1.wmv
http://www.readbangkokpost.com/video/soap2.wmv
http://www.readbangkokpost.com/video/soap3.wmv
http://www.readbangkokpost.com/video/tard1.wmv

courtcases

2010-09-03T11:05:34Z

Court cases in the news

There are currently four big legal cases in the news involving four different courts. We’ll look at the kind of vocabulary you are like to see in each of these cases, but first let’s look at some general vocabulary commonly found in court cases of all types. All come from recent Bangkok Post stories.

Act – a law passed by a country’s government พ.ร.บ. พระราชบัญญัติ
admit – to agree that something is true, especially when you are unhappy, sorry or surprised about it ยอมรับ
alleged – claimed to be true although not yet proven ที่ถูกกล่าวหา
charge – an official statement accusing someone of committing a crime ข้อหา
client – a customer or someone who receives services of a lawyer ลูกความ
constitution – the set of laws and basic principles that a country in governed by รัฐธรรมนูญ
convicted – proven in a court of law to have committed a crime การกระทำผิดกฎหมาย
counsel – a lawyer who gives someone legal advice and represents them in a court of law ทนายความ
cross-examination – (in court) asking a witness questions during a trial after another lawyer has already asked them questions
defendant – someone who has been accused of a crime and is on trial จำเลย
guilty – having been decided by a court of law that you committed the crime your were accused of มีความผิด
illicit – against the law ผิดกฎหมาย
innocent – not having done anything wrong บริสุทธิ์
plaintiff – someone who makes a legal complaint against someone else in court โจทก์
procedure – a way of doing something ขั้นตอนการดำเนินการ
prosecution – the person or organisation that tries to prove in court that someone has committed a crime อัยการ
ruling – a decision by a court of law คำตัดสิน คำชี้ขาด
sentence – a punishment given by a court of law การตัดสินลงโทษ
submit – to formally give something to someone so that can make a decision about it ยื่น (เอกสาร) เพื่อการพิจารณา
testify – to make a statement about something that you saw, know, or experienced, usually in a court of law ให้การเป็นพยาน
trial – the process of examining a case in a court of law and deciding whether someone has or has not committed a crime การพิจารณาคดี
verdict – a decision by a court of law คำพิพากษา
violate – to do something that is against a law, agreement, principle, etc. ละเมิดกฎหมาย
witness – someone who tells a court or investigators what they know about a crime พยาน

Case one

Map Ta Phut projects case heard in the Administrative Court

Administrative Court – the court which deals with disputes between the private sector and government agencies ศาลปกครอง

The case involved 76 industrial projects in the Map Ta Phut area of Rayong. They were ordered suspended by the Administrative Court until it could be determined whether or not they violated the constitutional requirements on protecting the environment. In the end, the court revoked the suspension of all but two of them, angering and disappointing many residents there. Here is some of the vocabulary from the latest story on the case.

burst into tears – to suddenly start to cry
comply with – to obey a rule or law or do what someone asks you to do ปฏิบัติตาม
defeat – a loss ความพ่ายแพ้
despair – the feeling that there is no hope and that you can do nothing to improve a difficult or worrying situation สิ้นหวัง, ความรู้สึกสิ้นหวัง, ความหมดหวัง
impact – an effect or influence ผลกระทบ
off the hook – having avoided a duty, an unpleasant situation, or a punishment ปล่อยให้เป็นอิสระจาก (ความยุ่งยาก, ความรับผิดชอบ, การตัดสินใจ)
operating permit – official permission to carry out a business activity ใบอนุญาตประกอบกิจการ
permit – an official document that gives you permission to do something ใบอนุญาต
residents – people who live in a particular area ประชาชนที่อาศัยในท้องที่
revoke – to officially say that something is no longer legal, e.g., a contract, a law, a document, etc. เพิกถอน , ยกเลิก
sincerity – (of a person, feelings or behaviour) not pretending or lying; honest ความจริงใจ, ตรงไปตรงมา
slam (blast) – to strongly criticise someone or something วิพากษ์วิจารณ์อย่างรุนแรง
syndrome – a medical condition that has a particular set of effects on your body or mind อาการของโรคต่างๆ ที่เกิดขึ้นพร้อมๆ กัน
terminate – to end or stop something ทำให้สิ้นสุด

Case 2

Democrat Party dissolution case heard by the Constitution Court

Constitution Court – a court which decides whether a government law, action, political party, etc., is correct according to the constitution ศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ

This case will decide if the Democrat Party should be dissolved for breaking the Political Part Act by accepting and failing to report donations and improperly using campaign funds. Here is vocabulary from a recent story on this case. Much of that story dealt with the credibility of one witness who had got into financial trouble.

alleged – claimed to be true although not yet proven ที่ถูกกล่าวหา
conspiracy – a secret plan by a group of people to do something bad or illegal การวางแผนอย่างลับๆ การสมรู้ร่วมคิด
collusion – secretly working together to do something dishonest การสมรู้ร่วมคิด
credibility – the degree to which someone or something can be believed or trusted ความน่าเชื่อถือ,ความน่าไว้วางใจ
disbanded – (of a group) dissolved; ended; stopped working together ถูกยุบ
donation – money or goods that you give to an organisation, especially one that helps people เงินบริจาค
dissolve – (of a group) to end ยุบ (พรรค)
foreclosure – the process of taking someone’s property because they failed to pay back the money that they borrowed to buy it การยึดทรัพย์สินที่จำนองไว้
founder - a person who establishes an institution, business, or organisation ผู้ก่อตั้ง
implicate – to show or suggest that someone is involved in something illegal or morally wrong โยงใยถึง
mortgage – a legal agreement in which you borrow money from a bank in order to buy a house, build something, develop a piece of land, etc.การจำนอง
redeem – to get something back again by paying someone the money that they paid you for it, especially when the money was a type of loan ซื้อคืนมา
subject to – affected by ภายใต้บังคับ (กฎหมาย)

Case 3

Viktor Bout extradition case heard in the Appeals Court

Appeal Court (Court of Appeal) – a court that decides requests that a decision made by a lower court be changed ศาลอุทธรณ์

The United States has requested that alleged illegal arms dealer Viktor Bout of Russia be extradited to the United States for trial. A lower court rejected the request, but that was overturned recently by the Appeal Court. Here is some vocabulary seen in two recent stories.

arms – weapons อาวุธ
attorney-general – the top legal officer in some countries, who advises the leader of the government อัยการสูงสุด
block – to use your power to stop something from being done or from succeeding กีดขวาง
cargo – things that are being sent by ship, plane, train or truck สินค้าที่บรรทุกและจัดส่งโดยเรือ เครื่องบินหรือรถไฟ
concerned – involved in something, or affected by something ที่สัมพันธ์กับ
consent – to give permission to do something ยอมให้ทำ, อนุญาต
controversy – a strong disagreement, especially about a public policy or moral issue ความขัดแย้ง ประเด็นข้อขัดแย้ง
Corrections Department – the government department in charge of running prisons กรมราชทัณฑ์
custody – under the control of the police, usually in a jail อยู่ใต้การคุ้มครอง
detain – to keep someone in a police station or prison and not allow them to leave กักตัว ควบคุมตัวหรือฝากขัง
embassy – a group of officials who represent their government in a foreign country สถานทูต
extradition – sending someone accused of a crime back to the country where the crime was committed for trial or punishment การส่งผู้ร้ายข้ามแดน
fraud – the crime of intentionally deceiving someone or cheating in order to gain an advantage or benefit การฉ้อโกง การหลอกลวง เล่ห์เพทุบาย
irreversible – of something that cannot be changed เปลี่ยนแปลงไม่ได้, ไม่สามารถเอาคืนกลับมาได้
issue – a subject that people discuss or argue about ประเด็น
kangaroo court – whether they have committed a crime or not ศาลเตี้ย
legitimate – allowed by the law, or correct according to the law ชอบด้วยกฎหมาย
money laundering – hiding the origin of money obtained from illegal activities by putting it into legal businesses การฟอกเงิน
motivated – done for a particular reason มีแรงจูงใจ ถูกโน้มน้าวใจ (politically-motivated – done for political reasons)
orchestrate – to plan and organise a complicated event or activity จัดการ, วางแผน
overturn – to change a situation to the opposite พลิกคว่ำ
pending – waiting to be dealt with, settled or completed อยู่ในระหว่าง
proceedings – the actions taken, usually in court, to settle a legal matter การดำเนินการ
reject – to not agree with ปฏิเสธ ไม่ยอมรับ
release – to allow someone or something to go free ปล่อย
remand prison – a place where people are kept while they wait for the date of their trial สถานที่ขังระหว่างรอการพิจารณาคดี
row – a serious disagreement about an issue between people, organisations or countries การทะเลาะวิวาท
show trial – a trial that a government arranges for political reasons and decides the result of before the trial begins
solitary confinement – a punishment in which a prisoner is kept alone, separate from other prisoners
suppression – stopping an activity from happening, in this case, criminal activity การปราบปราม
tangle – something very complicated and difficult to deal with เรื่องซับซ้อน เรื่องยุ่งเหยิง
terrorism – the use of violence to achieve political aims การใช้ความรุนแรงเพื่อข้อเรียกร้องทางการเมือง
transfer – to move someone from one place to another ย้าย
withdraw – to take away ถอน

Case 4

Rakesh Saxena case heard in Criminal Court

Criminal Court – a court which hears criminal cases, i.e., cases where people are accused of breaking a law and where punishment involves possible going to jail. ศาลอาญา

Rakesh Saxena has been accused on many crimes related to illegal banking practices during the 1990s. He was extradited from Canada to Thailand in October last year. In the first case to go to court, he has been charged with embezzling 16 billion baht from the Bangkok Bank of Commerce back in 1995. Here is some vocabulary from a recent story.

appraise – to give a judgment about how much money something might be sold for ประเมินคุณค่า
approval – official permission การอนุมัต
assets – things owned by a person, company etc., particularly money and property ทรัพย์สิน
audit –to officially examine the financial records of a company, organisation, or person to see that they are accurate สอบบัญชี
ceiling – an upper limit เพดาน ขีดจำกัด
collateral – property that you agree to give to a bank if you fail to pay back money that you have borrowed หลักทรัพย์ค้ำประกัน
collude – to act together secretly or illegally in order to deceive or cheat someone สมรู้ร่วมคิด
embezzle – to secretly take money that is in your care or that belongs to an organisation or business you work for ยักยอกเงิน, ฉ้อโกงเงิน
exceed – to be more than something; to go beyond a limit เกินกว่าที่กำหนด
expertise - a high level of knowledge or skill ทักษะความรู้, ความคิดเห็นของผู้เชี่ยวชาญ
firm – a business or company บริษัม
loan – an amount of money that a person, business, or country borrows, especially from a bank เงินกู้
non-operational – not doing any business
submit – to formally give something to someone so that can make a decision about it ยื่น (เอกสาร) เพื่อการพิจารณา

apple

2010-08-29T10:55:44Z

Earning money on youtube

On Sundays I enjoy reading the Bangkok Post's Sunday magazine "Brunch". There are lots of different kinds of stories and I always learn something new. About two weeks ago, there was a story about youtube, one of my favourite website sites.

Did you know that some of the people who post videos on youtube earn money – a lot of money?

How do they earn money? If their videos are very popular, they can attract advertising. And when viewers click on the ads, both youtube and the video maker, earn money.

One person who seems to be earning a great deal of money on youtube is Dane Boedigheimer, the creator of "The Annoying Orange". It is easy to understand why. Altogether his videos have been viewed more 350 million times. Estimated earnings for one year: $288,000 (About 9 million baht)

Below are two of the most popular examples. As you will see, Orange is more than a little annoying. He is very very very annoying.

For the most part, the videos are easy to understand, but I will give you a little help with some of the more difficult words and the sentences that are spoken quickly.

annoying – making you feel slightly angry or impatient น่ารำคาญ

Here is what Orange, Apple and Pear said to each other:

(Orange) Hey Apple. Hey Apple, etc.

(Apple) What? What? What is it?

(Orange) Orange (Aren't) you glad I didn't say "apple" again?

(Apple) Yeah, that joke was funny the first 400 times you said it. (Apple is annoyed and tired of hearing it)

(Orange) Hey Apple, you look fruity.

(Apple, Yeah that was hilarious.

(Orange) Hey, Apple.

(Apple) What?

(Orange) Can you do 10 pushups in 10 seconds?

(Apple) What kind of question is that? I don't even have arms. How am I going to do one pushup?

(Orange) Hey, hey Apple.

(Apple) What?

(Orange) Can you do this? Nah, nah, nah ......

(Apple) No.

(Orange) Try it.

(Apple) No, stop it....OK, you've made your point. Stop it....Would you please be quiet? For crying out loud. Would you stop yammering for longer than three seconds. I can't even hear myself think.

(Orange) Hey Apple.

(Apple) What?

(Orange) Knife.

(Apple) Huh? (Screams)

(Orange) Oh... I warned you...That looks like it hurts.....I tried to warn him.

(Orange) Hey, Pear.

(Pear) Oh, God.

hilarious – very funny ตลกขบขัน (Apple is being sarcastic, เสียดสี, ถากถาง, พูดเยาะเย้ย so he says the opposite of what he means.)
For crying out loud – used for expressing anger
yammering – talking or complaining a lot พูดคุยเสียงดังและยืดยาว

First of all, you should know that a tomato is actually a fruit, but many people think it is a vegetable. Secondly, you will hear the American pronunciation of tomato (ta MEI toe), not the British (ta MAH toe).

Here is what Orange and Tomato said to each other.

(Orange) I'm bored

(Tomato) Whoa, Where am I?

(Orange) Hey Apple, you're back.

(Tomato) What?

(Orange) Hey Apple, where have you been?

(Tomato) Are you talking to me?

(Orange) Hey Apple, Hey Apple

(Tomato) I'm not an apple.

(Orange) Yeah, you are. You're red, so you're an apple.

(Tomato) No, no, no. You see, I'm a tomato.

(Orange) Tomato? You look like an apple.

(Tomato) No, no, I'm a fruit like an apple but I'm not an apple.
(Orange) What? No you're not. You're a vegetable.

(Tomato) That's a common misconception, but a tomato like myself, I'm a .....

(Orange) Hey, hey Apple. Can you spit seeds?

(Tomato) What?

(Orange) Like this...

(Tomato) Aow. What the heck is wrong with you?

(Orange) I'm an orange.

(Tomato) Don't you ever do that to a tomato. Don't you know how easily I bruise?

(Orange) You're a toe may toe?

(Tomato) It's tomato.

(Orange) Toe may toe.

(Tomato) Ta may toe. Tomato. It's not hard.

(Orange) Yeah, you're a vegetable.

(Tomato) Fruit. I'm a fruit!

(Orange) Ah, Ah. You can't be a fruit and a vegetable.

(Tomato) I know. I'm not. I'm a fruit. Tomatoes are fruits.

(Orange) No, you're not. You'r a vegetable – like a pumpkin.

(Tomato) Pumpkins are fruits too, you moron.

(Orange) Yeah, and elephants are microwaves.

(Tomato) I hate oranges.

(Orange) You're an apple.

(Tomato) I'm a tomato.

(Orange) Apple

(Tomato) Tomato, etc. etc.

(Orange) Blender.

(Tomato) Huh?

(Orange) Whoa.

(Tomato) Hey Buddy. Don't press the button.

(Orange) What does that button do?

(Tomato) Don't press the button Don't press the button. Screams

(Orange) Tomato, are you OK? ... Aw, you're juicy.... If you were a fruit, you'd be in a real jam.

(Orange) Hey tomato. Good to see you. I was hoping we could catch up. Get it? Ketchup....Why aren't you laughing?

bored – feeling impatient or dissatisfied, because you are not interested in something or because you have nothing to do เบื่อ (not boring น่าเบื่อ which would mean that you make other people feel bored)
misconception – a wrong belief or opinion as a result of not understanding something ความเข้าใจผิด
spit – to force something out from your mouth พ่น,ถุย, บ้วนน้ำลาย
bruise – to damage a piece of fruit and cause a soft brown area to appear on its surface ทำให้เป็นรอยช้ำ
moron – an insulting word for someone who behaves in a stupid way คนปัญญาอ่อน
jam – (1) a sweet sticky food made from boiled fruit and sugar that is usually spread onto bread แยม (2) a difficult situation สถานการณ์ที่ยุ่งยาก
catch up – to talk to someone you have not seen for some time and find out what they have been doing
ketchup – a thick red sauce made from tomatoes น้ำจิ้มที่ทำจากมะเขือเทศ

spainchamps

2010-07-12T13:17:06Z

It's Spain!

Of course, we knew Spain would win from the moment Paul the Octopus Oracle made his prediction but we didn't know it would be such a long and difficult match. The story below has the details. Once again, I suggest you begin with the video highlights.

octopus – a sea animal with a soft round body and eight long arms called tentacles ปลาหมึกยักษ์
oracle – formally, a type of priest in ancient Greece who told people what would happen in the future or who gave them advice from the gods; now, someone or something that gives good advice about the future ผู้ให้คำทำนาย, ผู้ให้คำพยากรณ์, ผู้ให้คำปรึกษา
prediction – a statement about what you think will happen in the future คำพยากรณ์,คำทำนาย,การพยากรณ์

twitter

Click button to listen to Spain-Holland and rightclick to download

Iniesta scores in extra time to give Spain WCup

Spain celebrate winning the 2010 Wiorld Cup South Africa final match between Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Spain's place among world football's all-time greatest teams was assured Sunday when Andres Iniesta scored with four minutes of extra time remaining to beat the Netherlands 1-0 and clinch his country's first World Cup.

With the teams facing a penalty shootout after an often ill-tempered game of few clear chances, Iniesta collected a sliding pass into the area from substitute Cesc Fabregas and smashed the ball across goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and in at the far post.

The goal clinched Spain's fourth straight 1-0 victory in South Africa and made the team only the third to be world and European champion at the same time.

At the final whistle, the Spanish players hurried to swap their blue shirts for their more familiar red colors in time to collect the trophy. They donned shirts decorated with a single gold star to mark their triumph, becoming the eighth nation to receive the honor in the tournament's 80-year history.

"I can't quite believe it yet," said Iniesta, who was voted man of the match. "I had the opportunity to score that goal which was so important to my team. It's something absolutely incredible. I simply made a small contribution to my team in a match that was very tough."

The Dutch players trudged forlornly to collect their runners-up medals, the third squad from the Netherlands to finish second in football's biggest game.

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk took off his silver medal as soon as left the podium, with a look of disgust on his face at having failed to better the "Total Football" generation that lost the 1974 and '78 finals.

It was a less-than-classic performance by Spain and both teams created few clear chances at Soccer City, although the game opened up slightly after a cagey opening hour. The Netherlands broke up Spain's attempts to get its famous passing game going with physical play that brought nine yellow cards.

Defender John Heitinga got his second yellow and was sent off in the 19th minute of extra time to become only the fifth man to get a World Cup final red card.

With Spain also collecting five yellows, the total beat the 1986 record of six between Argentina and West Germany and made it the dirtiest World Cup final of all time.

Extra time was littered with almost as many chances as normal time. Stekelenburg saved a low shot by Fabregas before winger Arjen Robben was blocked and defender Joris Mathijsen headed over at the other end.

With Wesley Sneijder crowded out and Spain striker David Villa continually forced wide in search of possession, Robben looked the most likely player to put the finishing touch to his team's uncompromisingly physical approach.

The winger broke free in the 62nd minute but his low shot to the far post was brilliantly kept out with the toe of Iker Casillas' right boot.

He was clear again with seven minutes of normal time remaining, collecting Robin van Persie's flick from Nigel de Jong's hopeful punt forward. Robben held off Carles Puyol's attempts to wrestle him to the ground and tried to take the ball across Casillas, only for the goalkeeper to gather it at the forward's feet.

The Netherlands' physical approach only began after its attempt to defend deep in the opening exchanges allowed Spain 60 percent of possession and gave away chances. Stekelenburg had to dive at full stretch to keep out a header by Ramos, and Villa broke free of the defense only for the Netherlands to be saved by a narrow offside call.

The Dutch responded by pressing hard whichever Spanish player happened to be in possession, heralding a spell of five yellow cards in 14 minutes.

Van Persie was penalized for hacking down Joan Capdevila and Puyol took out Robben in retaliation before Mark van Bommel, whose physical play has attracted criticism throughout the tournament, got a yellow card for a foul from behind that lifted Iniesta off his feet and left him in a heap.

Ramos got his team's second yellow card for another rough challenge before De Jong was lucky not to get a red card when he slammed his boot into Xabi Alonso's chest.

"They made it very difficult for us to play comfortably," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said. "It was a very intense match."

But one incident showed the Dutch fouls were perhaps down to surplus passion rather than a premeditated mean streak.

Casillas threw the ball upfield and out to allow Puyol to receive treatment after a heavy fall. In keeping with sporting convention, the Netherlands attempted to return possession to the Spanish but the punt back to Casillas deflected up off the turf and forced the goalkeeper to tip it behind for a corner.

Not a single Netherlands player went forward for the corner kick and Van Persie just rolled it along the ground for Casillas to pick up.

"Our fouls may be sad for a final," Van Marwijk said, "(but) I would have loved to win it with not so beautiful football."

assured – made certain ทำให้แน่ใจ
clinch (a championship) – to win a championship
penalty shootout – in football, a series of chances to kick the ball into the goal, given to both teams as a way of deciding who wins the game when both teams have the same score
ill-tempered – a competition, meeting, etc. between people who are annoyed and act improperly to each other
substitute – a player who replaces another member of his or her team during a match ตัวสำรอง
victory – winning a competition or a battle ชัยชนะ
swap – to exchange something for something else แลกเปลี่ยน
trophy – a large silver or gold cup or similar object given as a prize to the winner of a competition ถ้วยรางวัล
don – to put on a piece of clothing ใส่เสื้อ
triumph – a great victory or success ชัยชนะครั้งใหญ่
absolutely – completely อย่างแน่นอน, อย่างแท้จริง
incredible – difficult to believe ไม่น่าเชื่อ
contribution – something that you do that helps to achieve something or to make it successful ผลงาน,การช่วยเหลือ
tough – difficult to do or to deal with ยาก
trudge – to walk somewhere with slow heavy steps เดินอย่างเมื่อยล้า
forlorn – appearing lonely and sad เหงาหงอยและสิ้นหวัง, โดดเดี่ยว
runners-up –second place in a competition รองอันดับหนึ่ง
podium – a small raised area where someone stands to give a speech, conduct an orchestra, give out awards, etc. แท่น, พลับพลา
disgust – a very strong feeling of not liking something ความไม่สบอารมณ์, ความขยะแขยง, ความน่ารังเกียจ
classic – extremely good ที่มีคุณภาพสูง
cagey – not saying or doing much about something, because you do not want people to know very much ที่ไม่ต้องการเปิดเผย
physical – involving people touching or hitting each other a lot ออกแรง
littered – spread around a place in large numbers
possession – control of the ball การครองบอล
uncompromising – very determined, and not willing to change your opinions, plans, or actions ไม่ละลด,เด็ดเดี่ยว,แน่วแน่
brilliant – very skilful, impressive, or successful ยอดเยี่ยม
flick – to make something move quickly and suddenly, especially with a quick movement of the foot or hand สะบัด, ปัด
punt – a ball that is kicked very high in the air เตะบอล
wrestle – to take, pull, or hold something with difficulty ต่อสู้กันอุตลุด
full stretch – reaching out as far as possible ซึ่งยืดออก
offside – in the wrong position according to the rules in a game such as football or hockey ที่อยู่ในตำแหน่งล้ำหน้า
herald - to be a sign that something important, and often good, is starting to happen ส่งสัญญาณ
spell – a period of time, usually a short one ช่วงเวลา
hack down – to cut or hit something in a rough way with a lot of energy, causing it to fall down
retaliation – doing something harmful or unpleasant to someone because they have done something harmful or unpleasant to you การตอบโต้,การแก้แค้น
in a heap – lying without moving after you have fallen
rough – not gentle รุนแรง
challenge – in football, an attempt to take the ball away from your opponent or to stop them from progressing คัดค้าน
slam – to put, move, or hit something against or onto a surface with great force ตีเสียงดัง
intense – done with a lot of effort, energy, attention, etc. เข้มข้น
incident – something that happens, usually something bad เหตุการณ์
surplus – more than is needed เหลือเกิน, ส่วนที่เกิน
passion – a strong enthusiasm or interest ความชื่นชม หลงใหล
premeditated – planned in advance คาดคิดมาก่อน
mean – angry and violent; cruel, or unkind ใจร้าย, โหดร้าย
streak – a part of someone’s character, or a type of behaviour that is different from the rest of their character
convention – a way of behaving that is generally accepted as being normal and right การปรับให้เข้ากับธรรมเนียมปฏิบัติ
deflect – to make something move in a different direction, especially by hitting it เปลี่ยนแปลงทิศทาง
turf – a piece of earth with the short grass that is growing on it คลุมด้วยหญ้า

wcenglish

2010-07-12T13:15:16Z

World Cup 2010 for English language learners

I have been basing lessons on the 2010 World Cup since day one and I have now put them in one place for easy access. It is an enjoyable way to learn English, especially English-language vocabulary, both general vocabulary and sports-related vocabulary.

Vocabulary intro: World Cup English
June 11 World Cup begins
June 12 South Africa-Mexico
June 13 England-USA
June 14 Germany routs Australia
June 15 Forward look to Brazil - North Korea
June 16 Brazil edges North Korea
June 17 Switzerland upset Spain
June 18 World Cup emotions
June 20 Denmark-Cameroon
June 22 Coach takes the blame
June 23 French are ousted
June 24 England and USA progress
June 25 Italy leaves the World Cup
June 27 Uruguay-South Korea
June 28 Germany-England
June 29 British press react
June 30 Japan loses penaty shootout
July 2 South American success
July 3 Dutch oust Brazil
July 4 Germans rout Argentina
July 5 World Cup betting
July 7 Dutch into finals
July 8 Spain conquers Germany
July 10 Paul the Oracle Octopus
July 11 Germany takes third
July 12 World Cup champion Spain

germuru

2010-07-11T20:34:52Z

Sunday update

Paul the Octopus got another prediction right as German defeated Uruguay for third place at the World Cup. As usual, begin by watching the match highlights from the fifa.com website.

prediction – a statement about what you think will happen in the future คำพยากรณ์,คำทำนาย,การพยากรณ์

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Click button to listen to Germany-Uruguay and rightclick to download

Germany edge Urguay for third

PORT ELIZABETH : Sami Khedira's 82nd-minute header earned Germany a 3-2 victory in a rousing and rain-soaked World Cup match for third place early Sunday (Thailand time).

The Stuttgart midfielder rose to nod the ball beyond Fernando Muslera after Uruguay failed to clear a late corner, while Diego Forlan came inches away from a dramatic equaliser with an injury-time free-kick that struck the crossbar.

Forlan rounded off an impressive individual showing at the tournament with a brilliantly taken volley to give Uruguay a 2-1 lead early in the second period, only for Marcell Jansen to restore parity moments later.

Thomas Mueller had put Germany in front in the 19th minute, but Edinson Cavani drew Uruguay level in the 28th minute.

Mueller and Forlan's goals took them level with Spain's David Villa and Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder in the race for the Golden Boot with five strikes apiece.

The young German will finish as the tournament's official top scorer if Villa and Sneijder both fail to score in Sunday's final, though, because assists are taken into account in case of a tie and he has supplied three to his rivals' one each.

Miroslav Klose's hopes of matching Ronaldo's record of 15 World Cup finals goals were dashed after a back injury saw him relegated to the German bench by coach Joachim Loew alongside skipper Philipp Lahm and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Uruguay looked to take advantage of lethargy in the German ranks in the second period, with Germany goalkeeper Hans-Joerg Butt regularly called into action.

He pulled off a fine double save to repel Cavani and then Luis Suarez, but was then beaten by an acrobatic volley from Forlan that flew inside the right-hand post.

Jansen drew Germany level in the 56th minute when he capitalised on a rash charge from Muslera to nod in Jerome Boateng's right-wing cross. AFP

edge – to beat someone in a competition by a small amount ชนะอย่างหวุดหวิด
rousing – ตื่นเต้น,เร้าใจ,ปลุกใจ
soaked – very wet เปียกโชก
nod – to cause something, especially a football, to change direction by using your head
dramatic – exciting and impressive ตื่นเต้นเร้าใจ
equalise – to level the score, i.e., to cause both teams to have the same score ทำให้เท่ากัน, ตีเสมอ
crossbar – a horizontal bar that forms the top of a goal คานประตู
impressive – something that people admire because it is very good, very large or shows great skill ซึ่งน่าประทับใจ
tournament – a competition for teams or single players in which a series of games is played, and the winners of each game play against each other until only one winner is left การแข่งขัน
brilliant – very skilful, impressive, or successful ยอดเยี่ยม
volley – kicking (or hitting) the ball before it touches the ground ตีวอล์เลย์
restore parity – to equalise; to level the score, ทำให้เท่ากัน, ตีเสมอ
draw level – to equalise ทำให้เท่ากัน, ตีเสมอ
assist – to help in scoring a goal by passing or crossing a ball to the player who scores ช่วย
rival – a person, group, team or business that competes with another คู่แข่ง
dash (someone’s hopes) – to destroy someone's hopes ทำลาย
relegate – to move someone or something to a less important position ลดตำแหน่ง, ลดขั้น
the bench – the place where the players who are not playing at the moment and the team manager sit
skipper – the captain or manager of a team ผู้นำทีม
take advantage – to use the good things in a situation ใช้เป็นประโยชน์
lethargy – lacking energy and not wanting to do anything ความเฉื่อยชา, ความเซื่องซึม
ranks – all the people within a group, organisation etc
acrobatic – involving balancing, jumping, or turning your body with great skill การแสดงความแข็งแรงและยืดหยุ่นของร่างกายโดยการเล่นห้อยโหนโยนตัวเป็นต้น
capitalise on – to use an event or a situation to help you to achieve something or to get an advantage ใช้ประโยชน์ให้เต็มที่จาก
rash – acting or done too quickly, without considering the effects of your actions ใจร้อน,ไม่รอบคอบ,ไม่ยั้งคิด,สะเพร่า
charge – to run very fast towards something โจมตี, จู่โจม
cross – (in football) the action of kicking the ball from one side of the field to someone in the middle or on the other side เตะบอลขวางสนาม

paul

2010-07-11T03:34:24Z

July 10, 2010

Paul the oracle

Oracles make predictions or prognostications, not "oracles" as some people are saying here in Thailand. For more on the world's most famous oracle at the moment, read the story below.

oracle – formerly, a type of priest in ancient Greece who told people what would happen in the future or who gave them advice from the gods; now, someone or something that gives good advice about the future ผู้ให้คำทำนาย, ผู้ให้คำพยากรณ์, ผู้ให้คำปรึกษา
prediction – a statement about what you think will happen in the future คำพยากรณ์,คำทำนาย,การพยากรณ์
prognostication – a prediction; a statement about what you think will happen in the future

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Click button to listen to Paul the oracle and rightclick to download

Octopus ‘oracle’ picks Spain

Paul the octopus squeezes into a box decorated with a Spanish flag, above, at the Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen, western Germany. AFP

BERLIN: Eyes around the world were on Germany’s octopus oracle Paul yesterday as he made his biggest prediction yet in the World Cup: Spain will beat the Netherlands in the final.

Paul’s prescient picks in the World Cup — he has yet to predict a match wrong — have propelled him to fame from obscurity in an aquarium in the western city of Oberhausen.

TV stations in Germany, Great Britain, Taiwan and elsewhere broadcast live pictures, complete with breathless commentary, of his final decision.

Millions watched as the eight-legged oracle descended upon a tank marked with a Spanish flag, sitting for only a few minutes before grabbing a mussel and devouring it, while completely ignoring the Dutch tank — indicating a Spanish victory in tomorrow’s final match.

It was the first time the two-and-a-half-year-old floppy octopus had been tasked to pick a game in which Germany wasn’t involved, as the Oberhausen Sea Life aquarium bowed to demand. He correctly called Germany’s wins over Argentina, England, Australia and Ghana and the country’s loss to Spain and Serbia. He also predicted yesterday that Germany will win over Uruguay in today’s match for third and fourth place.

Paul first developed his abilities during the 2008 European Championship in which he predicted five out of six games involving Germany correctly. But while he had only a community of local fans two years ago, his World Cup prognostications have brought him something like international stardom.

He has his own Facebook fan pages and a list of admirers that includes the Spanish leader. AP

squeeze into – to succeed in getting someone or something into a small space or object, often by pushing or forcing เบียดเข้าไป, อัดเข้าไป
prescient – knowing or behaving as if you know what will happen in the future ซึ่งรู้ล่วงหน้า
pick – a choice การเลือก
propel – to move or push someone or something forward ขับเคลื่อน, ขับดัน
fame – the state of being famous or very well known ชื่อเสียง
obscurity – a state in which a person or thing is not well known or not remembered ความไม่เป็นที่รู้จัก
aquarium – a building with where people can go to look at fish and other water animals which are kept in large glass containers also known as aquariums พิพิธภัณฑ์สัตว์น้ำ, สถานที่เลี้ยงสัตว์น้ำ,บ่อเลี้ยงปลา
breathless – experiencing a very strong emotion, especially excitement ตื่นเต้น
commentary – a discussion of something คำบรรยาย, คำอธิบาย, คำวิจารณ์
descend – to go down ลงมา
mussel – a small sea animal that can be eaten and which lives inside a black shell with two parts that close tightly together หอยจำพวกหอยแมลงภู่
devour – to eat something very fast because you are hungry กัดกิน
ignore – to pay no attention เพิกเฉย
indicate – to show that something is true, exists or will happen แสดง, ทำให้รู้
victory – winning a competition or a battle ชัยชนะ
floppy – soft and hanging down in a loose or heavy way ที่ห้อย, หลวม, ที่หย่อน
task – to give someone a particular responsibility ให้หน้าที่
bow to – to agree to do what someone wants you to do even though you might not want to do it ยอมให้่
stardom – the state of being very famous, especially as a film star or entertainer ความเป็นดารา, ความมีชื่อเสียง
admirer – someone who has a feeling of great respect for someone or something ผู้ชมเชย

wcspainger

2010-07-09T10:51:40Z

July 8, 2010

Spain marches on

Here is a story that has a little bit of everything – a match report, quotes from the coaches, reaction from players, comments on the final plus fan reaction in Germany and Holland. As usual, you can find video highlights of the match on the Fifa website.

quote – words that someone has spoken การอ้างอิง
reaction – the way something responds as a result of something that happens ปฏิกิริยา การตอบสนอง

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Click button to listen to Spain-Germany and rightclick to download

Spain stuns Germans to reach final

Barry Moody

Cares Puyol of Spain scores his side's goal from a header from a corner kick.

JOHANNESBURG, (Reuters) - Spain killed off Germany with a single goal in a pulsating World Cup semi on Wednesday to set up a final with the Netherlands where a new winner of soccer's biggest prize will be crowned.

A 73rd minute flying header by defender Carles Puyol from a perfectly placed corner settled one of the best matches of the tournament, in which the ball swung from end to end and Germany mounted waves of desperate attacks in the final minutes.

The Netherlands beat Uruguay 3-2 on Tuesday to reach their first final since 1978.

The result in Durban was a repeat of Spain's 1-0 victory against Germany in the Euro 2008 final and will mean a European team will now be crowned world champions outside Europe for the first time, at Johannesburg's cavernous Soccer City stadium.

Spain and the Netherlands are two of the best sides never to have won the trophy, but that will all change – for one of the teams – on Sunday.

Spain, who looked less impressive earlier in the tournament than the high-scoring Germans but have gradually improved, produced their best performance to beat their young opponents.

"Players from defence to attack were extraordinary and played a great game. We have another game to play... Holland represent the values of Dutch football very well and they'll be very tough rivals," said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque.

In Spain's earlier matches, striker David Villa's killer instinct in pouncing on any chance had brought them victory but today he was frequently stifled by German defenders.

He was ebullient after the match, however: "We're very happy. The team played their best game yet. We've shown that in the big moments we've risen to the occasion."

German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was gracious in defeat: "They deserved to win and we must now wish them all the best for the final," he said.

German manager Joachim Loew added: "I believe they'll (Spain) win this tournament... We played a great tournament but weren't as sharp tonight as we have been. It's unfortunate."

Back in Germany the defeat left heartbroken fans in tears. Men and women wept at a public viewing area in Berlin where 350,000 had gathered to watch on big screens. In another crowd of 50,000 in Munich, many also shed tears.

In contrast, the Dutch nation were swept up in Orange fever on Wednesday after their defeat of Uruguay, which took them to their third World Cup final after defeats in 1974 and 1978.

More than 80,000 people – or 10 percent of Amsterdam's population – watched on open-air screens in the city, which erupted in orange fireworks when the final whistle blew.

The speed and quality of the German side has been one of the surprises of the tournament. Up until the semi-final, the Germans had been the more impressive, with their youngest squad in 76 years scoring four goals on three occasions past Australia, England and Argentina.

But Spain's domination of possession and passing under pressure on Wednesday finally made the difference.

stun – to shock or upset someone ทำให้ตกใจ
pulsating – exciting or excited ทำให้ตะลึงงัน, ทำให้งง
settle – to decide something definitely, in this case the winner of a match
mount – to organise and begin เริ่มปฏิบัติการ
wave of attacks – a series of attacks
desperate – in an extreme or worried way อย่างเต็มที่
cavernous – (of a building or room) very large and often dark ที่เป็นโพรงใหญ่และมืด
stadium – a large closed area of land with rows of seats around the sides and often with no roof which is used for sports events and musical performances สนามกีฬาที่มีอัฒจันทร์โดยรอบ
impressive – something that people admire because it is very good, very large or shows great skill ซึ่งน่าประทับใจ
gradually – slowly and in small stages or amounts อย่างทีละน้อย
extraordinary – done in addition to the normal activities of an organisation เป็นพิเศษ
tough – difficult to do or to deal with ยาก
rival – a person you are competing against or opposing คู่แข่ง
instinct – the way people or animals naturally react or behave สัญชาตญาณ
pounce – to quickly jump on or hold someone or something มีปฎิกิริยาอย่างรวดเร็ว, กระโจน
stifle – to stop something from developing normally; to make something difficult for someone ระงับ
ebullient – very happy and enthusiastic กระตือรือร้นมาก
rise to the occasion – to deal successfully with a problem or situation that is especially difficult แสวงหาสิ่งที่ท้าทาย, ใช้ความพยายามอย่างมาก
gracious – showing kindness and good manners ซึ่งมีมารยาท, งดงาม, สง่างาม
defeat – a loss ความพ่ายแพ้
deserve – of something that you earn or are given because of your behavior or qualities สมควรได้รับ
unfortunate – unlucky โชคร้าย, เคราะห์ไม่ดี
wept (past of weep) – cried because of being unhappy or having some other strong emotion ร้องไห้
shed tears – cried ร้องไห้
swept up – affected by an emotion shared by a large group of people
erupt – to start suddenly ปะทุขึ้น
domination – control การครอบคลุม การควบคุม
possession – control of the ball
pressure – a force pressing against you or attempting to defeat you ความกดดัน

wcdutch

2010-07-09T10:48:24Z

July 7, 2010

First finalist

Those of us who slept through the Holland-Uruguay match have a lot of catching up to do. It seems to have been a very interesting match with five high-quality goals scored. As usual, begin with the fifa video highlights and then read the match report below.

highlight – the most exciting, impressive, or interesting part of an event จุดสำคัญ เรียกทับศัพท์ว่า ไฮไลท์

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Click button to listen to Holland-Uruguay and rightclick to download

Netherlands storm into World Cup final

Arjen Robben heads home the third to put the Dutch within touching distance of the final. AP

CAPE TOWN (AFP) – The Netherlands stormed into their first World Cup final since 1978 on Tuesday, beating Uruguay 3-2 to set up a title clash against either Germany or Spain.

Two goals inside three second-half minutes, from Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben, steered the Dutch into the decider and shattered South American hopes.

Veteran Dutch captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst gave his side the lead on 18 minutes with a stunning 35-yard strike before Diego Forlan produced an equally memorable goal four minutes before half-time to keep Uruguay alive.

Maxi Pereira got one back for Uruguay in injury time but it was too little, too late.

"It was a hard match, but all that is forgotten now and we are in the final," said Sneijder, as Holland go looking for a first World Cup title.

Coach Bert van Marwijk said everyone in the Netherlands can be proud of the team.

"It's amazing that we have managed to do this. It's been 32 years (since the Netherlands last played in a final). It is unbelievable. We can be very proud for such a small country."

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez was disappointed his side had just been edged out of contention.

"It was a match worthy of a semi-final. I am proud of my players, but we accept defeat against a team who were better than us. We are sad because we weren't far away."

The last time Holland made it to the final was 32 years ago when they fell at the last hurdle to hosts Argentina 3-1 after extra-time.

Despite losing, Uruguay did their small nation proud with Tabarez guiding them to their first semi-final in 40 years.

It was a massive achievement for a country with a population of just 3.4 million, and they must now put their disappointment behind them for a third-place play-off on Saturday.

The Netherlands came into the match as overwhelming favourites after winning all their games in South Africa to go with the eight wins out of eight notched up in qualifying.

Both teams were forced to make changes with players suspended and in chilly conditions at Green Point Stadium it was the Dutch who adapted the best.

With the pressure on, it was only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken and it was their hugely experienced captain who did it with a contender for goal of the tournament.

The 35-year-old van Bronckhorst picked up the ball some 35 yards out and let rip with a stunning drive that tore into the top corner of the net past the outstretched fingertips of Fernando Muslera.

Uruguay were struggling to create openings before Forlan produced his own piece of magic with a left-foot screamer that swerved past keeper Maarten Stekelenburg, who should have done better.

The match was finely poised in the second half with both sides creating chances but it was Sneijder who did the damage with his fifth goal of the tournament.

The Inter Milan star unleashed a low right foot drive that took a deflection to put his team in front on 70 minutes.

Uruguay were stunned and Robben took advantage of their guard being dropped with another goal three minutes later with a fabulous header from a Dirk Kuyt cross.

The South Americans threw everything they had at Holland as the clock ticked down and got their reward with Pereira's goal in the second minute of injury time but by then the match was over.

storm – to forcefully enter บุก, เดินฝ่าเข้าไป
clash – a fight or battle between two groups of people การปะทะกัน
steer – to control the direction in which someone moves (usually by putting your hand on them) นำทาง
shatter – to cause to break into many pieces แตกกระจาย
veteran - having been involved in a particular activity for a long time มีประสบการณ์
stunning – very impressive or beautiful สวยตระการตา น่าตะลึง
memorable – likely to be remembered or worth remembering ซึ่งมีค่าน่าจดจำ, โดดเด่น
edged out – having lost by a very small amount or margin แพ้อย่างหวุดหวิด
out of contention – no longer able to compete for something
worthy – deserving; having qualities that cause respect สมควร, น่ายกย่อง
hurdle – a problem that you must solve before you can do something successfully อุปสรรค
host – a country, city, group, person, etc. which provides the space and other things necessary for a special event เจ้าภาพ
massive – very large in size, amount or number ใหญ่โต
achievement – something very good and difficult that you have succeeded in doing การบรรลุผลสำเร็จ
overwhelming – by a very large amount or margin อย่างท่วมท้น
favourite – a person or team who is expected to win a competition ผู้แข่งขันที่มีหวังชนะมากที่สุด
suspended – not allowed to participate for a period of time
chilly – cold enough to be unpleasant, เย็นชา
adapt – to change to suit different conditions or uses ปรับตัว
deadlock – a competition where both sides have the same score ความเสมอกัน
contender – someone or something who competes with other people or things for a prize คู่ต่อสู้, คู่แข่ง
let rip – to kick or release with a lot of energy เตะอย่างแรง
outstretched – reaching out as far as possible ซึ่งยืดออก
struggling – having serious difficulties มีความยุ่งยาก
screamer – ball that has been kicked or hit very hard
swerve – to change directions suddenly เปลี่ยนทิศทาง
finely poised – very evenly matched which neither side having an advantage
unleash – to release suddenly a strong, uncontrollable and usually destructive force ปล่อย
deflection – the action of making something move in a different direction, especially by hitting it การเปลี่ยนแปลงทิศทาง
take advantage – to use the good things in a situation ใช้เป็นประโยชน์, เอาเปรียบ
fabulous – extremely good เยี่ยม
cross – (in football) the action of kicking the ball from one side of the field to someone in the middle or on the other side เตะบอลขวางสนาม

wcbet

2010-07-09T10:46:05Z

July 5, 2010

World Cup betting

Click button to listen to World Cup gambling and rightclick to download

A little more excitement

Betting on the outcome of a football match is not exciting enough for some gamblers, especially younger gamblers like university students.

They want something more immediate and they have invented many ways to get their wish.

Take this exchange heard at an outdoor pub and restaurant near Victory Monument, for example.

Player, wide shot, player, audience,'' one student shouted, slamming down 30 baht on the table.

``I think it'll be player, player, wide, player,'' said another. After matching his friend's 30 baht wager, the two students stared at the two flat screen TVs nearby. They were having a side bet on what sequence of camera angles would come in the World Cup elimination game between South Korea and Uruguay.

``We have these little, fun bets in between, just to keep the boredom down,'' said a female student. ``We often shout out insignificant wagers from the start of the game, just whatever comes to mind. It makes things more enjoyable.''

The night started with a small group of students seated outside a dimly lit late-night cafe. Crowded around a laptop streaming footage of the game, the young gamblers started by placing bets on which team would win. Despite an unreliable internet connection, the group carried on placing bets while tucking into local dishes and alcohol.

The students threw in sums ranging from 200-500 baht each with the total pool for picking the winner reaching 8,000 baht.

Side bets were made throughout the match on smaller outcomes like the number of goals each team would score, which side would score first, and which player would be ruled off-side first.

The teenagers also bet on which foot a player would kick the ball with or which side of the field the ball would land.

``We have never even heard of anyone we know getting busted by a policeman [while gambling on the World Cup],'' said one of the students at the open-air bar.

``We're just having some fun during the World Cup. The police have more serious things to worry about."

betting – the activity of risking an amount of money by saying what you think will happen, especially in a race or game. You lose the money if you are wrong and win more if you are right การพนัน
outcome – a result ผล
gambler – someone who takes risks, especially by betting more, that will bring important benefits if it is successful ผู้เสี่ยงโชค, ผู้เสี่ยงทาย
exchange – a situation where people give each other information การโต้ตอบ
audience – the people who watch an event happen ผู้ชม
slam – to put, move, or hit something against or onto a surface with great force ตีเสียงดัง
wager – a bet; an agreement to win or lose an amount of money depending on the result of a competition or other event การพนัน
stare – to look at someone or something very directly for a long time จ้องมอง
sequence – a set of related things that happen or are arranged in a particular order การเรียงลำดับ
angle – the direction from which something comes, or the direction from which you look at something, especially when it is not directly in front of you มุม
boredom – feeling impatient or dissatisfied, because you are not interested in something or because you have nothing to do ความเบื่อหน่าย, ความเหนื่อยหน่าย
insignificant – not large or important enough to be worth considering ไม่สำคัญ, ไร้ความหมาย
dimly – having little light ไม่สว่าง, ไม่แจ่มชัด
footage – film or video of a particular subject or event ฟิลม์หรือคลิปภาพยนตร์ หรือวิดีโอ
unreliable – not able to work without problems ไม่มั่นคง
tuck into – to eat food with enthusiasm because you like it or because you are hungry รับประทานด้วยความหิว
sum – an amount of something, especially money จำนวนเงิน
pool (of money) – a quantity of a money collected together for shared use by several people or organisations เงินกองกลาง
busted – arrested, especially for offences relating to drugs, gambling, etc. ถูกจับ, โดนจับกุม

Adapted from a story in Sunday's Bangkok Post by Asawin Suebsaeng.

wcgerarg

2010-07-09T10:44:37Z

July 4, 2010

Sunday update

Sportswriters throughout the world are praising the performance of the German team last night. Here are some examples.

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Click button to listen to Germany-Argentina and rightclick to download
Reuters

A class above

The Germany team celebrate with Arne Friedrich (R) after he scores his team's third goal.

Germany crushed Argentina 4-0 with a sparkling display of attacking football yesterday to book their spot in the World Cup last four.

A double from Miroslav Klose on his 100th international appearance, along with goals from Thomas Mueller and defender Arne Friedrich ensured the convincing win over a lacklustre Argentina

New York Times

Germany Shows Its Strength

CAPE TOWN — Diego Maradona (photo) longed for the action, admitting that he wanted to grab a uniform and suit up for Argentina, awakening those once magnificent legs that had been in troubled sleep for so many years.

As it turned out, it was not more attackers, but defenders that Argentina so desperately needed at the World Cup, as evidenced by Saturday’s 4-0 dismantling by Germany in the quarterfinals.

Los Angeles Times

Germany overwhelms Argentina, 4-0, to reach World Cup semifinals

Suddenly, it's 2006 all over again in Germany.

Fans are turning out in the tens of thousands on the streets of Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and elsewhere to watch what is surely the best German soccer team put together in the past quarter-century.

That team, in a performance as devastating as it was comprehensive, demolished Argentina, 4-0, on Saturday to sweep into the semifinals of the 2010 World Cup.

Guardian

Germany dump Diego Maradona and Argentina out

If it had indeed been the will of God that Argentina should claim this World Cup, then Diego Maradona must feel utterly abandoned now. Germany's staggering and irresistible progress through this tournament has propelled them yet again beyond fancied opposition. This was a slaughter to leave El Diego numbed and close to tears on the touchline. His dream has died.

sparkling – very lively and interesting
display – a performance that is intended to entertain people การแสดง
double – achieving two of something, in this case, scoring two goals
ensure – to make certain that something happens or is done รับรอง ให้ความมั่นใจ
convincing – in a way in which someone is able to make you believe that something is true or right อย่างโน้มน้าว
lacklustre – not lively, exciting, or impressive ที่น่าเบื่อ, ไม่แวววาว
long – to want something very much ปรารถนา, อยากได้
magnificent - very good, beautiful or deserving to be admired สง่างาม, ดีเลิศ,
desperately – extremely or very much อย่างเต็มที่
evidenced – shown to be true พิสูจน์
dismantle – to take something apart, in this case, to defeat an opponent completely รื้อ
overwhelm – to defeat someone or something by using a lot of force ล้น,ท่วมท้น
devastating – destroying completely ทำลายล้าง
comprehensive – complete and including everything that is necessary ที่ครอบคลุม
demolish – to completely destroy ทำลาย
will – what someone wants to happen ความตั้งใจ
claim – to win something มีชัยชนะ
utterly – completely อย่างที่สุด
abandoned – left alone by someone who is supposed to look after you ถูกปล่อยทิ้งไว้
staggering – extremely surprising
irresistible – so something that cannot be stopped of defeated ที่ต้านทานไม่ได้
propel – to move or push someone or something forward ขับเคลื่อน, ขับดัน
fancied – expected to win มีหวังชนะมากที่สุด
slaughter – when one team is very easily defeated by the other การแพ้อย่างราบคาบ
numbed – having no feeling ชา
touchline – one of the two lines that show the position of the long edges of the area in which particular games, such as football, are played

wcnlbrazil

2010-07-09T09:58:10Z

July 3, 2010

Saturday update

Here is a short excerpt from last night's rather surprising Holland-Brazil match

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Click button to listen to Brazil-Holland and rightclick to download

Holland send out Brazil 2-1

Wesley Sneijder celebrates victory at the final whistle with Arjen Robben and Mark Van Bommel of the Netherlands.

PORT ELIZABETH Brazil's dreams of a sixth World Cup title were shattered as the Netherlands came from behind to claim a famous 2-1 win in an enthralling quarter-final here on Friday.

An own goal by Felipe Melo, who was later sent off, and a Wesley Sneijder header enabled the Dutch to overturn Robinho's early opener and completely turn around a match that, at half-time, the five-times champions appeared destined to win comfortably.

The defeat means Brazil's campaign has ended at the quarter-final stage for the second successive World Cup while the Netherlands can look forward to a semi-final against Uruguay having avenged their 1994 and 1998 last-eight defeats by the Brazilians.

Brazil coach Dunga admitted he had been left shell-shocked by the way his side threw away a winning position.

"We are all extremely saddened, we did not expect this," he said. "We knew it would be a delicate, difficult game. In the first half we played better than in the second but we were were not able to maintain the same rhythm.

"We could not maintain the same level of concentration. Any World Cup match is 90 minutes and it is the small details that count."

For Sneijder, the man of the match, it was his third goal of the finals.

"This was my first header. I don't think it will happen again, but it was great. The ball slipped on my bald head and went into the net." AFP

shatter – to break into many pieces แตกกระจาย
famous – very good ดียิ่ง
enthralling – so interesting or exciting that you give it all your attention ทำให้หลงใหล, ทำให้ติดตรึงใจ
overturn – to change a situation to the opposite พลิกคว่ำ
destined – certain to do something,or certain to happen in the future ซึ่งมุ่งหน้าไปทาง, ซึ่งถูกกำหนดไว้ล่วงหน้าแล้ว
defeat – a loss in a competition ความพ่ายแพ้
successive – coming or happening one after another in a series ต่อเนื่องกัน, ตามลำดับ
avenge – to win a sports event against a team that has recently defeated you แก้แค้น, แก้เผ็ด
shell-shocked – feeling extremely shocked or upset after an unpleasant experience เครียด(จากการรบ)
delicate – needing to be dealt with carefully; easily damaged ยุ่งยาก, ละเอียดอ่อน, ลำบาก, ซับซ้อน
rhythm – a regular pattern of movement or sound จังหวะ
maintain – to keep รักษา
concentration – the process of giving all your attention to something ความตั้งอกตั้งใจ,ความเอาใจใส่
bald – not having any hair ล้าน

wcsa

2010-07-09T09:46:42Z

July 2, 2010

South American makes an impression

Why are the South American teams doing so well in this year's World Cup? The story below has some ideas.

(positive) impression – a positive opinion or feeling that you have about someone or something ความประทับใจ

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Click button to listen to South America and rightclick to download

South Americans have date with history

Diego Maradona calls the first knockout stage of a World Cup the point ‘‘where history really begins.’’

That makes the quarter-finals the place where that history takes shape and, in Africa’s first World Cup, it is South American teams that are doing the most to define the story of 2010.

The continent’s assault on the biggest prize in football, broader-based than ever before, reaches its Rubicon today, when Brazil and Uruguay attempt to book the first two semi-final places up for grabs.

Argentina and Paraguay could join them in crossing over into the last four tomorrow in what would represent an unprecedented clean sweep for the continent of Pele and Maradona.

With European champions Spain standing in the way of Paraguay, an all-South American line-up in the semis remains long shot.

But a prediction that Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina will all come through their quarter-finals against, respectively, the Netherlands, Ghana and Germany, does not feel like it comes from too far out in left field.

Even three out of four would represent uncharted territory for South America but Uruguay will be acutely aware that a place in the history books is also beckoning Ghana, who can become the first African side to reach a semi-final if they can break down a defence that has conceded only one goal so far.

Ghana’s coach, Milovan Rajevac, admits the Uruguayans represent a significant raising of the bar the Black Stars must clear, but the affable Serb insists carrying the hopes of an entire continent will not burden his side.

‘‘Uruguay have a great tradition and players playing in the best leagues in Europe,’’ he said. ‘‘They deserve every respect.

‘‘But we will not change our style and we won’t worry about any so-called pressure. We’re not under any obligation to make history but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to.’’

Theories vary as to why the South American challenge has been so vibrant after four decades in which their hopes were almost exclusively carried on the shoulders of Argentina and Brazil.

The tough, team-building nature of their qualifying competition, a 10-nation round-robin which requires them to play 18 matches, may be a factor.

Likewise the familiarity with altitude that comes with qualifiers in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru.

Another issue is whether modern football, with its accent on rigorous defensive organisation, places a greater premium on individual moments of genius — a Lionel Messi dribble, a Kaka flick — to unlock well-organised opponents and transform the pattern of matches.

With the decline of street football in Europe, those kind of players, it is argued, are now more likely to come from the scruffy suburbs of Buenos Aires or Sao Paulo, their dexterity of foot and mind honed by countless kickabouts in restricted spaces.

Whatever the explanation, it is clear the South Americans have all arrived in South Africa in prime condition and Spain’s coach Vincente del Bosque admitted to being extremely wary of facing a Paraguay side that finished third — above Argentina — in the qualifying campaign.

‘‘We know how difficult it is to be victorious,’’ del Bosque said. ‘‘We can’t take anything for granted.’’

Neither will Argentina, despite displaying attacking form that suggests they will be too smart and too strong for a Germany side that, for all its verve, is a little raw around the edges.

Memories of a penalty shootout defeat by the Germans at the same stage four years ago are still too fresh for that. AFP

knockout stage – the part of a tournament when a losing team is forced out of the competition
continent – one of the seven large land masses on the Earth's surface, surrounded, or mainly surrounded, by sea and usually consisting of various countries ทวีป
assault – an attack การจู่โจม
broad – wide กว้างขวาง
Rubicon – an important stage of development
up for grabs – available to be won มีให้ชิงชัยกัน
unprecedented – never having happened before ที่ไม่เคยเกิดขึ้นมาก่อน
clean sweep – to win all parts of a competition
long shot – not very likely to happen การเลือกเล่นพนันข้างที่มีโอกาสน้อยมาก
prediction – a statement about what you think will happen in the future คำพยากรณ์,คำทำนาย,การพยากรณ์
respectively – in the order in which they are mentioned ตามลำดับ
out in left field – a very unlikely possibility; a possibility that probably won’t happen
uncharted – unknown; not shown on any map ไม่คุ้นเคย, ไม่เคยเห็น
uncharted territory – a situation that has never happened before
acutely – very strongly; extremely อย่างมีไหวพริบ
aware – knowing that something exists, or having knowledge or experience of a particular thing ทราบ
beckon – to attract someone to try to get something ทำให้สนใจ
concede a goal – to allow a goal to be scored against you
raising the bar – causing there to be a higher, more difficult standard to achieve
affable – friendly, relaxed, and easy to talk to เป็นมิตร, ใจดี, อ่อนโยน
insist – to keep saying very firmly that something is true ยืนกราน ยืนยัน
tradition – a very old custom, belief, or story ประเพณี, ขนบธรรมเนียม
deserve – of something that you earn or are given because of your behavior or qualities สมควรได้รับ
respect – a feeling of admiration that you have for someone because of their personal qualities, their achievements, or their status, and that you show by treating them in a polite and kind way ความเคารพ, ความนับถือ
pressure – a worried feeling that you get when you have to deal with a difficult or complicated situation ความกดดัน
obligations – something you must do; a duty หน้าที่ที่พึงกระทำ
theory – one or more ideas that explain how or why something happens สมมติฐาน
challenge – an attempt to win something การท้า
vibrant – lively and exciting ซึ่งมีชีวิตชีวา
decade – a period of ten years ทศวรรษ
exclusively – limited to only one person or group of people แต่ผู้เดียว
round-robin – a competition in which each person or team plays against every other person or team
factor – a fact or situation which influences the result of something ปัจจัย
familiarity – well known to you ความคุ้นเคย, ความเคยชิน
altitude – height above sea level ความสูงเหนือระดับน้ำทะเล
accent on – stress on; focus on เน้น
dribble – to move forwards with a ball by kicking or bouncing it several times in games such as football and basketball เลี้ยงลูก (ในกีฬาบาสเกตบอล ฟุตบอล เป็นต้น)
flick – to make something move quickly and suddenly, especially with a quick movement of the foot or hand สะบัด, ปัด
transform – to change from one form into another เปลี่ยนไปสู่อีกสิ่งหนึ่ง
decline – to become less or worse ลดลง
scruffy – untidy or dirty
suburb – an area or town near a large city but away form its centre ชานเมือง
dexterity – great skill in using your hands, legs or your mind ความคล่องแคล่ว, ความว่องไว
hone – to improve a skill or talent that is already well developed
countless – very many; too many to be counted มากเหลือคณานับ
kickabout – informally kicking a ball from one person to another
prime – of the best quality ที่ดีที่สุด
wary – careful or nervous about someone or something because you think they might cause a problem ระมัดระวัง
victorious – having won a victory in a war, match, game, etc. ซึ่งมีชัยชนะ
verve – energy and enthusiasm ความมีชีวิตชีวา, ความกระฉับกระเฉง, ความร่าเริง, พลัง
raw around the edges – not fully prepared; not complete
penalty shootout – in football, a series of chances to kick the ball into the goal, given to both teams as a way of deciding who wins the game when both teams have the same score
defeat – a loss in a competition ความพ่ายแพ้

wcpenalty

2010-07-09T09:43:57Z

The news here is the same that you will find in the Bangkok Post except that it is much easier. I've included some of the vocabulary of the original stores, so you can learn several new words every day. Notice that you can listen to the text with the audio player below. You can also download the soundfile and play it back on your mp3 player.

twitter

June 30, 2010

Penalty shootout

Japan’s striker Shinji Okazaki, centre, and team mates react at the end of the penalty shoot-out during the World Cup round of 16 match between Paraguay and Japan last night. AFP

Here is a video of the penalty shootout between Japan and Paraguay that was uploaded to youtube last night. You'll notice that it was taken from a TV screen because the official video is owned by Fifa and they don't allow that on youtube. It is still more than good enough for the activity I am going to suggest, however.

Watch each shot one by one. You might want to stop the video after each and think about how you would describe it. Then read the description from today's Bangkok Post match report. Would you change anything?

Teachers: I don't know how long the video will be available, so you might want to download it using http://keepvid.com The video link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-6LKlhE9_Y

Click button to listen to Penalty shootout and rightclick to download

How the shootout unfolded

Edgar Barreto (Paraguay): scored
Drilled the ball into the bottom left-corner after a short run-up, despite Japan goalkeeper Eji Kawashima going the right way.
Paraguay 1 Japan 0

Yasuhito Endo (Japan) scored
Calmly placed the ball to the right, half-way up the goal.
Paraguay 1 Japan 1

Lucas Barrios (Paraguay): scored
Nervelessly slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner with his right instep, narrowly beyond the grasp of the sprawling Kawashima.
Paraguay 2 Japan 1

Makoto Hasebe (Japan): scored
The Japan skipper fired into the top-left corner with his right foot. Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar guessed the direction but not the height.
Paraguay 2 Japan 2

Christian Riveros (Paraguay): scored
Looked like he was going to blast the ball, but ended up rolling it into the net, slightly right of centre, as Kawashima plunged the other way.
Paraguay 3 Japan 2

Yuichi Komano (Japan): missed
Blasted the ball against the crossbar with his right foot, before tilting his head back in despair and running his fingers through his hair.
Paraguay 3 Japan 2

Nelson Haedo Valdez (Paraguay): scored
Emphatically thumped the ball down the middle to pile the pressure on Japan.
Paraguay 4 Japan 2

Keisuke Honda (Japan): scored
Villar charged from his line as Honda reached the penalty spot but the CSKA Moscow star kept his cool to dink the ball down the middle.
Paraguay 4 Japan 3

Oscar Cardozo (Paraguay): scored
Took his time in his run-up before rolling the ball to the goalkeeper's right with his left foot to break Japan's hearts and send the South Americans into the last eight for the first time in their history.
Paraguay 5 Japan 3

penalty shootout – in football, a series of chances to kick the ball into the goal, given to both teams as a way of deciding who wins the game when both teams have the same score
unfold – to happen, or to develop ปรากฏออกมา
drill – to kick or hit a ball hard ยิงทะลุ
nervelessly – without feeling or appearing nervous or afraid ไม่มีความวิตกกังวล
slot – to kick the ball into a narrow space เตะลงในช่อง
instep – the raised part in the middle of your foot หลังเท้า, ส่วนเท้าของถุงเท้าหรือรองเท้า
grasp – hold; control การจับ
sprawl – to fall, sit or lie with your arms and legs stretched out in different directions นอนกางแขนกางขา, นอนเหยียดแขนเหยียดขา
skipper – the captain or manager of a team ผู้นำทีม
blast – to kick, throw or hit with great force
plunge – to move or fall suddenly and often a long way forward, down or into something ลงอย่างเร็ว, อุณหภูมิ)
crossbar – a horizontal bar that forms the top of a goal คานประตู
tilt – to (cause to) move into a sloping position ทำให้เอียง กระดก
despair – the feeling that there is no hope and that you can do nothing to improve a difficult or worrying situation สิ้นหวัง, ความรู้สึกสิ้นหวัง, ความหมดหวัง
emphatically – very firmly and clearly เน้นย้ำ
thump – to put (in this case, to kick) something somewhere with force and usually with a loud sound ตีดังๆ
pressure – a worried feeling that you get when you have to deal with a difficult or complicated situation ความกดดัน
charge – to run very fast towards something
kept his cool – stayed calm ควบคุมอารมณ์
dink – to hit or kick softly เตะเบาๆ

wcbritpress

2010-07-09T09:33:35Z

June 29, 2010

British press react

Click button to listen to Press reaction and rightclick to download

Not such an honour after all

Frank Lampard looks out the team bus window as England leave Rustenburg yesterday. REUTERS

Playing for England in the World Cup is apparently considered to be a great honour. You could see the disappointment in the faces of Michael Owen and David Beckham when injuries prevented them from challenging for a position in the national side.

Now, however, the players that did succeed are finding out that it is only an honour if your team wins, or, at the very least, if it plays well. England did neither in South Africa.

The English players are paying the price. The British press have been relentless in their criticism of the team’s performance.

‘‘You Let Your Country Down’’ was the front page headline of the mass circulation The Sun which devoted its first nine pages to England’s defeat.

Even Frank Lampard’s first half ‘‘goal’’ that was not given despite the ball bouncing well over the line when the score was 2-1 was not held up as an excuse.

‘‘Lampard Travesty fails to hide England defects’’ said the Daily Telegraph while the Daily Mail reaction was ‘‘Awful England Have No Excuse’’.

‘‘By the bedraggled and humiliating finish here, even the old standbys, the cry of injustice and the desperate grasp for the moral victory had been torn into ruins,’’ wrote John Dillon in the Daily Express.

‘‘The Golden Generation were in their final meltdown. The World Cup campaign had finished, as it started, as a calamity.’’

Matt Lawton in the Daily Mail said a disallowed England goal had not been the reason for the defeat.

‘‘Because for all England’s frustration with going into the interval a goal down, this should not be used to hide how awful England were.

‘‘England were a mess — a team that were tactically and technically inept; a team that was painfully inferior to its well-drilled opponents.’’

Former Liverpool and Scotland defender and now BBC pundit Alan Hansen was withering in his analysis.

‘‘Against Algeria they were abysmal but yesterday (against Germany) they were four levels below that. Their performance was embarrassing.’’

Ouch!

honour – something you do that you are proud of; the respect that people have for someone who achieves something great, is very powerful, or behaves in a way that is morally right เกียรติยศ, เกียรติ
apparently – based only on what you have heard or think, not on what you are certain is true; seemingly ตามที่ได้รู้มา
disappointed – unhappy because someone or something was not as good as you hoped or expected, or because something did not happen ผิดหวัง
challenge – to compete for something แข่งขัน
press – newspapers and magazines, and those parts of television and radio which broadcast news, or reporters and photographers who work for them สื่อมวลชน
relentless – never seeming to stop ซึ่งไม่หยุด, ซึ่งไม่ยอมผ่อนผัน
mass circulation – (of a newspaper) have a very large number of readers มีผู้อ่านจำนวนมาก
devote – to use something for a particular purpose
travesty – a situation, action, or event that shocks you because it is very different from what it should be or because it seems very unfair เรื่องอื้อฉาว, เรื่องน่าอัปยศ, เรื่องน่าอาย
defect – a fault in someone or something ข้อบกพร่อง, จุดอ่อน
bedraggled – wet, dirty, and untidy เปรอะเปื้อนและเปียก
humiliating – making you feel very embarrassed and ashamed ขายหน้าขายตา, ทำให้เสียเกียรติ
injustice – failure to treat someone fairly and to respect their rights ความไม่ยุติธรรม
desperate – very worried or confused because you do not know how to deal with an unpleasant or dangerous situation อย่างสิ้นหวัง อย่างหมดหวัง
grasp – an attempt to take or achieve something การจับ, การคว้า
moral victory – a situation that show you were right about something or acted appropriately, even though someone else wins or gets credit
meltdown – a sudden and complete failure of a system, organisation or company การล่มสลายอย่างกระทันหัน
calamity – a bad event or serious accident causing damage or suffering เหตุการณ์ที่เลวร้าย
disallow – to not allow something, in this case, to not allow a goal to be counted ไม่อนุญาต, ไม่ยอมให้
frustration – an annoyed or discouraged feeling because you cannot do or have what you want ความผิดหวัง, ความไม่พอใจ
interval – a short break between the parts of something such as a play or a concert or, this case, between halves of a football match ช่วงหยุดพัก
mess – a difficult situation with a lot of problems, especially because people have made mistakes ภาวะที่ยุ่งเหยิง, สับสน
inept – not having much ability or skill ซึ่งขาดความสามารถ
inferior – not as good as someone or something else ด้อยกว่า
well-drilled – having had a lot of practice or preparation for something
withering – of a look, expression, or remark) deliberately making someone feel silly or embarrassed ซึ่งตั้งใจที่จะทำลาย, ซึ่งตั้งใจที่จะทำให้อับอาย
abysmal – extremely bad or low in quality แย่สุดๆ, เลวร้ายมาก, ที่มีมาตรฐานต่ำมาก
embarrassing – making you feel ashamed, nervous or stupid น่าอับอาย
ouch – used for expressing a feeling of sudden pain คำอุทานแสดงความเจ็บปวดอย่างกะทันหัน

Adapted from Reuters story in today’s Bangkok Post.