2006年VOA标准英语-France, South Korea, Switzerland, Togo Battle i

By David Byrd
Washington
24 May 2006
 
  
  
Former World Cup champion rance face Switzerland, Togo and 2002 semifinalists South Korea in Group-G at next month's World Cup in Germany. "Les Bleus" could have their hands full if they want to get another chance to win the Cup they captured in 1998.

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The French squad¹ had its hands full making it to Germany. A 4-0 win over Cyprus put "Les Bleus" in the tournament, but the 1998 World Cup champions drew twice against Israel and Switzerland and once against Ireland in qualifying.

The French had a miserable² defense³ of their 1998 World Cup title four years ago, losing to Senegal in the opening match, failing to score a goal in their three group matches and thus going home after the first round. International football expert commentator⁴ Derek Rae does not expect the French to make another first round exit. He believes France and Switzerland will probably advance out of Group-G, but adds that South Korea cannot be discounted.

"Switzerland and France, of course, know each other very well indeed from the qualifying. But they have to be the favorites for me in this group again - France and Switzerland," said Rae. "But it is not going to necessarily be straightforward⁵ when you consider what the Korean Republic - South Korea - did last time, getting to the semifinals."

In contrast to France, South Korea made the semifinals in 2002, but struggled in its qualifying group for this year's tournament. The so-called Red Devils finished second in Asian qualifying behind Saudi Arabia. Even so, Derek Rae says that the South Koreans could provide a strong challenge.

"They can be very resilient, South Korea. We have seen that over recent World Cups," he added. "They very rarely get thrashed in a particular match. And of course they will be France's second opponent in Leipzig on the 18th of June. The fourth team in that group, Togo - well let us see, let us see how they do. To be honest my hopes are not high at all."

Togo probably has little chance of advancing out of the first round, even through it finished on top of its African qualifying group. This will be the "Sparrow Hawks⁶" first appearance in the World Cup. Togo has never played South Korea or Switzerland before, and its final group match will be against former colonial rulers France June 23 in Cologne.

1 squad   

n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组

参考例句：

• The squad leader ordered the men to mark time.班长命令战士们原地踏步。
• A squad is the smallest unit in an army.班是军队的最小构成单位。

2 miserable   

adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的

参考例句：

• It was miserable of you to make fun of him.你取笑他，这是可耻的。
• Her past life was miserable.她过去的生活很苦。

3 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

4 commentator   

n.注释者，解说者；实况广播评论员

参考例句：

• He is a good commentator because he can get across the game.他能简单地解说这场比赛，是个好的解说者。
• The commentator made a big mistake during the live broadcast.在直播节目中评论员犯了个大错误。

5 straightforward   

adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的

参考例句：

• A straightforward talk is better than a flowery speech.巧言不如直说。
• I must insist on your giving me a straightforward answer.我一定要你给我一个直截了当的回答。

6 hawks   

鹰( hawk的名词复数 )； 鹰派人物，主战派人物

参考例句：

• Two hawks were hover ing overhead. 两只鹰在头顶盘旋。
• Both hawks and doves have expanded their conditions for ending the war. 鹰派和鸽派都充分阐明了各自的停战条件。