2007年VOA标准英语-Canada Claims First Football Win at Women's Wor

By Jim Stevenson
Hangzhou, China
16 September 2007

Canada has picked up its first win at the Women's World Cup football tournament in China.  VOA's Jim Stevenson was at the game Saturday in Hangzhou, where the Canadians scored often against Ghana to give themselves a chance to reach the quarterfinal round.

Ghana's Anita Amankwa (18) tries to hold back Canada's Martina Franko, (10) at the Women's World Cup soccer tournament in Hangzhou, China, 15 Sept. 2007

Canada needed a big win to gain much needed points, and perhaps more importantly, build a goal differential advantage in Group-C.  Fortunately for the Canadians, Ghana was the opponent¹.

Forward Christine Sinclair scored twice in a 4-0 thrashing.  Sinclair's header in the 16th minute and chip shot in the 62nd minute made her the most prolific² World Cup scorer in Canadian women's football history, with five career goals.

Sophie Schmidt scored in the 55th minute while defender³ Martina Franco added another in the 77th minute.  Both were headers.

Canadian coach Even Pellerud says his team got past an African squad⁴ that plays a very fluid⁵ style of football.

"Ghana is a tricky⁶ team to play against," he said.  "They move the ball very well.  They have to chase⁷.  They had more possession [time] than us.  So, it was a good fitness⁸ test and I think we did well today."

Also in Hangzhou, Australia came from behind to tie Norway, 1-1.  Ragnhild Gulbrandsen put Norway ahead in the fifth minute.  But Lisa De Vanna came off the bench to net an 83rd minute strike for Australia.

Norwegian coach Bjarne Berntsen says he is still happy with the result even though his team could not hold on for a win.

"I think that considering the 90 minutes [of playing time], we have to be pleased with the one point we got.  And we think we are in a very good situation before our last group game," he said.

Australia and Norway lead Group-C with four points each, followed by Canada with three.  Ghana has no points.

Also Saturday in Wuhan, Denmark defeated New Zealand, 2-0.  Brazil soundly beat host China, 4-0.  Brazil now has two victories and six points to lead the Group-D standings.  Denmark and China have three points each while New Zealand has none. 

The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the semifinals.  All of the 16 nations have one game remaining in the first round.

1 opponent   

n.对手，敌手，反对者；adj.敌对的，反对的

参考例句：

• The boxer gave his opponent a punch on the nose.这个拳击手朝他对手的鼻子上猛击一拳。
• After a fierce struggle,he got a beat on his opponent.经过殊死的较量，他占了对手的上风。

2 prolific   

adj.丰富的，大量的；多产的，富有创造力的

参考例句：

• She is a prolific writer of novels and short stories.她是一位多产的作家，写了很多小说和短篇故事。
• The last few pages of the document are prolific of mistakes.这个文件的最后几页错误很多。

3 defender   

n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人

参考例句：

• He shouldered off a defender and shot at goal.他用肩膀挡开防守队员，然后射门。
• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。

4 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。

5 fluid   

n.流体，液体；adj.流体的，流动的

参考例句：

• Fluid includes both gasses and liquids.流体包括气体和液体。
• The weather is fluid in summer.夏天天气多变。

6 tricky   

adj.狡猾的，奸诈的；(工作等)棘手的，微妙的

参考例句：

• I'm in a rather tricky position.Can you help me out?我的处境很棘手，你能帮我吗？
• He avoided this tricky question and talked in generalities.他回避了这个非常微妙的问题，只做了个笼统的表述。

7 chase   

vt.追逐，追赶，追求；n.追赶

参考例句：

• The police grabbed the robbers after a long chase.警察经过长距离追赶后逮住了抢劫犯。
• Would you chase me if I did?如果我逃开了，你会来追吗？

8 fitness   

n.适合，适当，健康，健身

参考例句：

• They're doing exercises to improve their fitness.他们为增强体质而做体操。
• No one questions her fitness for the job.没人怀疑她能胜任这项工作。