June 16
Once again, I suggest you begin with the video highlights from fifa.com.
straightforward – clear without adding a lot of additional information ตรงไปตรงมา
highlights – the most exciting, impressive, or interesting parts of an event เหตุการณ์สำคัญ, จุดสำคัญ
ambitious – needing a great amount of skill and effort to be successful or be achieved ใฝ่สูง, มักใหญ่ใฝ่สูง, ทะเยอทะยาน
theme – a main or continuing subject ใจความสำคัญ, ประเด็นหลัก
twitter
Click button to listen to Brazil-North Korea and rightclick to download
Brazil's Maicon celebrates with fellow team members after
scoring the opening goal Tuesday against North Korea. AP
On a frigid night in South Africa, with temperatures dipping below freezing, it was soccer that fell victim to the cold.
Five-time world champion Brazil couldn't handle it. The Brazilians are a team of the tropics, a team whose creative juices flow best in the sunshine and warmth.
When six of Brazil's starters wore gloves at ramshackle Ellis Park Stadium on Tuesday night for the Selecao's game against North Korea, it was a signal that the crowd of 54,331 was not likely to see anything spectacular.
Until, that is, fullback Maicon produced a vintage bit of Brazilian magic 10 minutes into the second half.
Taking a pass from midfield and controlling the ball right at the end line, he fired a right-foot shot that flew between North Korean goalkeeper Ri Myong Guk and his near post and curled into the net behind him.
A Frisbee curving in flight was what this shot resembled.
The angle was virtually nonexistent. It was a trick shot that came off, an improbable and audacious effort that received its just reward. The goal will be replayed throughout the 2010 World Cup and possibly beyond. It's probably already on YouTube.
It was also the goal that put Brazil on its way to a 2-1 victory that propelled Coach Dunga's team to the top of Group G and left North Korea at the bottom. Portugal and the Ivory Coast, which tied 0-0 earlier in the day in Durban, occupy the middle ground.
That's very likely the way the first round is going to end up as well, at least according to Portugal Coach Carlos Queiroz.
"People call this 'the group of death,' " he said. "With respect to North Korea, there are three teams playing for two places."
But it would be wrong to dismiss the Asian team so casually. North Korea's players were not in the least bit intimidated by a team light-years ahead of them in experience and ability. Not to mention salary.
In fact, for the first 45 minutes, they played Brazil almost evenly. And they didn't wear gloves either.
Japanese-based forward Jong Tae Se and team captain and fellow forward Hong Yong Jo kept the Brazilian defense on its toes and the North Koreans, to their credit, did not sit back in the own half and simply defend.
In the second half, however, the game gradually swung Brazil's way. Maicon's goal released a lot of pent-up emotion, giving Dunga's team a bit more self-confidence after it had run out of ideas while running at North Korea in the opening 45 minutes.
Robinho was the only player, in fact, that the largely Brazilian crowd was not booing when the teams left the field at halftime. He showed some dazzling footwork and was not unwilling to pull the trigger when he saw an opening.
It was Robinho who created Brazil's second goal in the 72nd minute when he threaded a pass through the North Korean defense. Elano ran onto the ball and side-footed it into lower left corner of the net.
The biggest and possibly best surprise of the night, one that warmed the hearts, if not the fingers, of the small contingent of North Korean fans in the crowd, came in the next-to-last minute of regulation.
North Korea – improbably and delightfully – scored a goal against the team that is favoured, along with Spain, to win the tournament.
A crisp interchange between three players ended with Ji Yun Nam beating a couple of Brazilian defenders and darting into the penalty area before lifting the ball over diving goalkeeper Julio Cesar.
The astonishment and happiness on Ji's face illuminated the stadium. But not as much as an afternoon game and a little sunshine would have.
frigid – very cold หนาวจัด
fall victim to – to be harmed by something เป็นเหยื่อ
the tropics – the hottest part of the Earth, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn บริเวณเขตร้อนของโลก
glove – a piece of clothing that covers your fingers and hands ถุงมือ
ramshackle – in bad condition (and sometimes) likely to fall down; badly or untidily made คลอนแคลน, โยกเยก, โคลงเคลง
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
Selecao – the Brazilian national football team
spectacular – extremely impressive ที่ตระการตา
vintage – showing the best or most typical qualities of someone or something
near post – the goal post closest to the player mentioned
curl – to cause to move in a curving or twisting way เตะโค้ง
frisbee – a round piece of plastic that you throw to another person in a game played outside
resemble – to be like or look like someone or something else มีลักษณะคล้ายกับ
angle – the shape, measured in degrees, that is made where two surfaces or objects meet; 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
virtually - almost เกือบจะ
nonexistent – not being present; not existing
improbable – not likely to happen or be true ไม่น่าจะเป็นไปได้
audacious – done with extreme confidence, despite difficulties, risks, or the negative attitudes of other people; showing a willingness to take risks กล้าหาญ, ไม่เกรงกลัว
just – fair; deserved; of something that you earn or are given because of your behavior or qualities สมควรได้รับ, ยุติธรรม
propel – to move or push someone or something forward ขับเคลื่อน, ขับดัน
dismiss – to refuse to accept that something might be true or important ไม่สนใจ,แย้งกลับ
casually – in a relaxed way and seemingly not worried about anything อย่างเรื่อยๆ, อย่างไม่สนใจ
intimidated - frightened or nervous because you are not confident in a situation ทำให้กลัว, ข่มขู่, กรรโชก
light years ahead of – very far ahead of
not to mention – in addition; also
salary – a fixed amount of money that you earn each month or year from your job เงินเดือน
evenly – equally อย่างเท่ากัน
keep on your toes – to have to pay attention to what is happening and to be ready to react quickly if necessary ตื่นตัว, ตั้งท่า, ระมัดระวัง
emotion – strong feeling such as anger or love, or strong feelings in general อารมณ์
pent-up emotions – pent up emotions are strong feelings, for example anger, that you do not express so that they gradually become more difficult to control อารมณ์ที่ถูกควบคุมไว้
confidence – the quality of being certain ความมั่นใจ
boo – to express strong disapproval or disagreement โห่ฮิ้ว
dazzling – extremely impressive น่าประหลาดใจ, น่าพิศวง, น่าอัศจรรย์
pull the trigger – to shoot, i.e., to kill the ball towards the goal
contingent – a group of people who have something in common คณะ
regulation (time) – the normal time of a match, not including injury time
favoured – expected to win
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
crisp – quick and accurate เร็วและแม่นยำ
interchange – an exchange of passes
dart – to make a sudden quick movement somewhere เคลื่อนไหวอย่างรวดเร็ว
astonishment – a feeling of being extremely surprised or shocked ความประหลาดใจ
illuminated – to light up; to cause to be bright ส่องสว่าง, ฉายแสง
Winter victory
If you look on the web, you can probably find ten or more stories covering the same World Cup match. Some of them are quite straightforward, detailing the main highlights. Others are more ambitious. Here is one such story that I found this morning on last night's Brazil - North Korea match from the Los Angeles Times. Notice that it has a theme running throughout it – cold weather. Perhaps it is because California is a warm weather state.Once again, I suggest you begin with the video highlights from fifa.com.
straightforward – clear without adding a lot of additional information ตรงไปตรงมา
highlights – the most exciting, impressive, or interesting parts of an event เหตุการณ์สำคัญ, จุดสำคัญ
ambitious – needing a great amount of skill and effort to be successful or be achieved ใฝ่สูง, มักใหญ่ใฝ่สูง, ทะเยอทะยาน
theme – a main or continuing subject ใจความสำคัญ, ประเด็นหลัก
Click button to listen to Brazil-North Korea and rightclick to download
Brazil beats North Korea, 2-1, on a frigid night
By Grahame L. Jones, Los Angeles TimesBrazil's Maicon celebrates with fellow team members after
scoring the opening goal Tuesday against North Korea. APOn a frigid night in South Africa, with temperatures dipping below freezing, it was soccer that fell victim to the cold.
Five-time world champion Brazil couldn't handle it. The Brazilians are a team of the tropics, a team whose creative juices flow best in the sunshine and warmth.
When six of Brazil's starters wore gloves at ramshackle Ellis Park Stadium on Tuesday night for the Selecao's game against North Korea, it was a signal that the crowd of 54,331 was not likely to see anything spectacular.
Until, that is, fullback Maicon produced a vintage bit of Brazilian magic 10 minutes into the second half.
Taking a pass from midfield and controlling the ball right at the end line, he fired a right-foot shot that flew between North Korean goalkeeper Ri Myong Guk and his near post and curled into the net behind him.
A Frisbee curving in flight was what this shot resembled.
The angle was virtually nonexistent. It was a trick shot that came off, an improbable and audacious effort that received its just reward. The goal will be replayed throughout the 2010 World Cup and possibly beyond. It's probably already on YouTube.
It was also the goal that put Brazil on its way to a 2-1 victory that propelled Coach Dunga's team to the top of Group G and left North Korea at the bottom. Portugal and the Ivory Coast, which tied 0-0 earlier in the day in Durban, occupy the middle ground.
That's very likely the way the first round is going to end up as well, at least according to Portugal Coach Carlos Queiroz.
"People call this 'the group of death,' " he said. "With respect to North Korea, there are three teams playing for two places."
But it would be wrong to dismiss the Asian team so casually. North Korea's players were not in the least bit intimidated by a team light-years ahead of them in experience and ability. Not to mention salary.
In fact, for the first 45 minutes, they played Brazil almost evenly. And they didn't wear gloves either.
Japanese-based forward Jong Tae Se and team captain and fellow forward Hong Yong Jo kept the Brazilian defense on its toes and the North Koreans, to their credit, did not sit back in the own half and simply defend.
In the second half, however, the game gradually swung Brazil's way. Maicon's goal released a lot of pent-up emotion, giving Dunga's team a bit more self-confidence after it had run out of ideas while running at North Korea in the opening 45 minutes.
Robinho was the only player, in fact, that the largely Brazilian crowd was not booing when the teams left the field at halftime. He showed some dazzling footwork and was not unwilling to pull the trigger when he saw an opening.
It was Robinho who created Brazil's second goal in the 72nd minute when he threaded a pass through the North Korean defense. Elano ran onto the ball and side-footed it into lower left corner of the net.
The biggest and possibly best surprise of the night, one that warmed the hearts, if not the fingers, of the small contingent of North Korean fans in the crowd, came in the next-to-last minute of regulation.
North Korea – improbably and delightfully – scored a goal against the team that is favoured, along with Spain, to win the tournament.
A crisp interchange between three players ended with Ji Yun Nam beating a couple of Brazilian defenders and darting into the penalty area before lifting the ball over diving goalkeeper Julio Cesar.
The astonishment and happiness on Ji's face illuminated the stadium. But not as much as an afternoon game and a little sunshine would have.
frigid – very cold หนาวจัด
fall victim to – to be harmed by something เป็นเหยื่อ
the tropics – the hottest part of the Earth, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn บริเวณเขตร้อนของโลก
glove – a piece of clothing that covers your fingers and hands ถุงมือ
ramshackle – in bad condition (and sometimes) likely to fall down; badly or untidily made คลอนแคลน, โยกเยก, โคลงเคลง
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
Selecao – the Brazilian national football team
spectacular – extremely impressive ที่ตระการตา
vintage – showing the best or most typical qualities of someone or something
near post – the goal post closest to the player mentioned
curl – to cause to move in a curving or twisting way เตะโค้ง
frisbee – a round piece of plastic that you throw to another person in a game played outside
resemble – to be like or look like someone or something else มีลักษณะคล้ายกับ
angle – the shape, measured in degrees, that is made where two surfaces or objects meet; 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
virtually - almost เกือบจะ
nonexistent – not being present; not existing
improbable – not likely to happen or be true ไม่น่าจะเป็นไปได้
audacious – done with extreme confidence, despite difficulties, risks, or the negative attitudes of other people; showing a willingness to take risks กล้าหาญ, ไม่เกรงกลัว
just – fair; deserved; of something that you earn or are given because of your behavior or qualities สมควรได้รับ, ยุติธรรม
propel – to move or push someone or something forward ขับเคลื่อน, ขับดัน
dismiss – to refuse to accept that something might be true or important ไม่สนใจ,แย้งกลับ
casually – in a relaxed way and seemingly not worried about anything อย่างเรื่อยๆ, อย่างไม่สนใจ
intimidated - frightened or nervous because you are not confident in a situation ทำให้กลัว, ข่มขู่, กรรโชก
light years ahead of – very far ahead of
not to mention – in addition; also
salary – a fixed amount of money that you earn each month or year from your job เงินเดือน
evenly – equally อย่างเท่ากัน
keep on your toes – to have to pay attention to what is happening and to be ready to react quickly if necessary ตื่นตัว, ตั้งท่า, ระมัดระวัง
emotion – strong feeling such as anger or love, or strong feelings in general อารมณ์
pent-up emotions – pent up emotions are strong feelings, for example anger, that you do not express so that they gradually become more difficult to control อารมณ์ที่ถูกควบคุมไว้
confidence – the quality of being certain ความมั่นใจ
boo – to express strong disapproval or disagreement โห่ฮิ้ว
dazzling – extremely impressive น่าประหลาดใจ, น่าพิศวง, น่าอัศจรรย์
pull the trigger – to shoot, i.e., to kill the ball towards the goal
contingent – a group of people who have something in common คณะ
regulation (time) – the normal time of a match, not including injury time
favoured – expected to win
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
crisp – quick and accurate เร็วและแม่นยำ
interchange – an exchange of passes
dart – to make a sudden quick movement somewhere เคลื่อนไหวอย่างรวดเร็ว
astonishment – a feeling of being extremely surprised or shocked ความประหลาดใจ
illuminated – to light up; to cause to be bright ส่องสว่าง, ฉายแสง