2006年VOA标准英语-Trinidad and Tobago Makes Successful World Cup

By Parke Brewer¹
Dortmund, Germany
10 June 2006
 
Trinidad and Tobago got off to a good start in its World Cup debut², holding heavily favored Sweden to a surprising scoreless draw. 

 
Trinidad and Tobago's goalkeeper Shaka Hislop (L) and teammates celebrate at the end of the 2006 World Cup group B football game against Sweden 
  
The stadium here in Dortmund seats 65,000 fans and Swedish yellow shirts in the stands far outnumbered the red of Trinidad and Tobago. The loud cheering from the Swedish sections could have been intimidating³ for a team that had never before played in a World Cup, but Trinidad and Tobago stood up under the pressure.

And what pressure it was, as the Swedes dominated play, taking 18 shots to six for Trinidad and Tobago, and taking eight corner kicks to only one for the Trinidad and Tobago.

But what was even more impressive was Trinidad and Tobago keeping Sweden off the scoreboard while playing nearly the entire second half a man down.

Defenseman Avery John picked up his second yellow card in the first minute after the intermission and was expelled. But his teammates, especi?ally goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, rose to the occasion and gained a hard-earned point in Group-B with a scoreless draw.

Dutchman Leo Beenhakker is Trinidad and Tobago's coach and said he was very proud of his team's effort. "We are the first guys to recognize that Sweden has more talent, that Sweden had more possibilities to win the match. In that way we have our eyes wide open. Don't blame us that they didn't score a goal," he said.

Thirty-five year old Trinidadian captain Dwight Yorke (york) was named Man of the Match. "It's a historical moment for our people, for our country, and certainly for the people who came out and supported us. We're underdogs here and quite rightly so because we're a very small nation as everyone knows. But we showed a lot of heart today. And even though it was always going to be difficult with 11 men, let along 19 men, and we showed a lot of courage and determination," he said.

Trinidadian fans celebrate their team's scoreless draw at the 2006 World Cup  
  
While many of the Swedish fans sat stunned⁴ in their seats after the final whistle, the Trinidad and Tobago supporters celebrated⁵. But Christian⁶ Rooks said during the match the underdogs at times felt a bit uneasy. "It was kind of frightening among so many Swedish people, and there was so little bit of Trinidadians. I was afraid I might get trampled⁷ or so," he said.

But his friend Troy Sulliman said, nevertheless, it was great to be there for their nation's first-ever World Cup match. "One of the best feelings of my life," he said. "I mean I just felt the adrenaline pumping, you know. It was absolutely brilliant just to see everybody here supporting Trinidad. And I hope we score a goal against England."

In the other World Cup Group-B match played earlier Saturday, England edged Paraguay in Frankfurt, 1-0.

1 brewer   

n. 啤酒制造者

参考例句：

• Brewer is a very interesting man. 布鲁尔是一个很有趣的人。
• I decided to quit my job to become a brewer. 我决定辞职，做一名酿酒人。

2 debut   

n.首次演出，初次露面

参考例句：

• That same year he made his Broadway debut, playing a suave radio journalist.在那同一年里，他初次在百老汇登台，扮演一个温文而雅的电台记者。
• The actress made her debut in the new comedy.这位演员在那出新喜剧中首次登台演出。

3 intimidating   

vt.恐吓，威胁( intimidate的现在分词)

参考例句：

• They were accused of intimidating people into voting for them. 他们被控胁迫选民投他们的票。
• This kind of questioning can be very intimidating to children. 这种问话的方式可能让孩子们非常害怕。

4 stunned   

adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• The fall stunned me for a moment. 那一下摔得我昏迷了片刻。
• The leaders of the Kopper Company were then stunned speechless. 科伯公司的领导们当时被惊得目瞪口呆。

5 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

6 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

7 trampled   

踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯

参考例句：

• He gripped his brother's arm lest he be trampled by the mob. 他紧抓着他兄弟的胳膊，怕他让暴民踩着。
• People were trampled underfoot in the rush for the exit. 有人在拼命涌向出口时被踩在脚下。