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1. Match the opening sentences to the headlines and fill in the missing words.
a. David Beckham says he would probably burst into tears if England were to win the _____ ___.
b. _______ eased their homeland's worries by thumping Columbia 3-0 while Italy and Sweden were stuck with
draws in World Cup warm-ups on Friday.
c. Betting on football matches has swept the country, becoming more _______ than legalised sports betting -
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such as on horse ______ - and now probably on a par with the government lottery.
d. Brazil star _______ will definitely be fit for the champions' World Cup opener despite a foot problem believed to
be caused by new _____ he has been wearing, team doctors said yesterday.
2. Write a headline and opening sentence for this World Cup story about Guus Hiddink and the Australian team
following their game against Holland.
Hiddink was in a buoyant mood after his previously unheralded team overcame the second half sending off of
Luke Wilkshire to battle to a highly impressive draw at the home of the team ranked third in the Fifa world
rankings.
Now, the man who sensationally took South Korea to the semi-finals on home soil four years ago believes his new
charges can also shock the world after taking huge strides under his tutelage.
``The progress we have made in just a few months is incredible compared to the level we were at six months
ago,'' beamed Hiddink after Sunday's game where Tim Cahill cancelled out Ruud van Nistelrooy's opener.
``We have had a glimpse of what awaits us in the World Cup in physical and tactical terms.
``This is a result which will give us even more confidence, although the players were far from lacking in that
department during qualification.''
Australia dug out a draw against the highly fancied Dutch through sheer grit and hard work, and not a little
muscle either, as they battled to keep in touch with opponents who were technically far superior. AFP
3. Answer the following questions.
1. Which team does Hiddink coach?
2. What team is third in the Fifa world rankings?
3. Who did Hiddink coach at the last World Cup?
4. Which player scored the first goal?
5. Did Australia have enough confidence during qualification?
6. Which team was better technically?
Answers
Predict
1.
2.
3.
4.
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Practice
1.
a. 2, World Cup
b. 4, Germany
c. 1, popular, racing
d. 3, Ronaldo, boots
2. Anything similar to the original headline and opening sentence is acceptable.
Socceroos ready to make an impression
Australia are ready to take on the world according to their Dutch coach Guus Hiddink after he watched his side
hold the Netherlands to a 1-1 draw in Holland.
Questions
1. Australia
2. Holland
3. South Korea
4. Ruud van Nistelrooy
5. Yes, they were "far from lacking in that department."
6. The Netherlands
Vocabulary
punters
buoyant
gamblers
very happy
unheralded
highly fancied
not praised
expected to do well
thumping
charges
sheer grit
beating heavily
determination
on a par with
tutelage
teaching