VOA标准英语2009年-Ghana Claims First-Ever Under-20 World Cup

By Brent Latham
Cairo
17 October 2009
 

Ghana has claimed its first ever FIFA Under-20 World Cup, defeating Brazil in a heart-stopping series of penalty¹ kicks in Cairo, Egypt late Friday after a scoreless tie through 120 minutes of regulation play and extra time.

Ghana's Under-20 national team wrapped up a fantastic three-week performance by edging Brazil on penalty kicks, 4-3, to win their first title in their third appearance in the final of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

The title for the Black Satellites is the first for an African team at the Under-20 level, despite the dominance of African nations in the youth categories over the last decades. The title means a lot to the entire continent, said Ghana coach Sellas Tetteh. "I think this is a wonderful, historic² event for Africa. Now at least Africans will believe in themselves that they can do it.  We have done it, we have shown the way, we have shown the path. Luckily for us Nigeria will be staging the World Cup, Under-17 very soon, then South Africa 2010. So within these two things Africa will surely have a lot of hope and confidence that they can do it like how we did it here," he said.
 
Ghana was forced to fight short-handed after seeing defender³ Daniel Addo sent off by the Belgian referee⁴ following what seemed like an innocuous tackle⁵ in the first half.
 
The Satellites followed with an hour and a half of inspired play defending as a unit and attacking when merited⁶, and holding the feared Brazilian attack despite their numerical⁷ disadvantage. Tetteh says the strong defense⁸ proved his team's resolve. "Today the nature of the game showed how strong we were at the back, and that was a very good thing for the team. A team that can adjust to problems quickly is a very good team, and that is exactly what we did," he said.
 
Having reached the penalty shootout after a hectic⁹ extra period, the Ghanaians again looked lost when they missed their third and fourth attempts from the spot. 
 
But Brazil failed on two chances of their own that would have sealed the title. When Ghanaian goalkeeper Daniel Agyei then saved Brazilian Alex Teixeira's effort, Emmanuel Badu clinched¹⁰ the cup by placing his shot in the corner of the net. Tetteh said the victory was merited. "I thought we deserved to win the tournament because throughout the matches we have been so good.  Although today's ball game was a different ball game, but better still my team all the time has demonstrated power, strength, energy, resistance resolute¹¹, and it showed once again," he said.

Ghanaian forward Dominic Adiyiah was rewarded with the golden ball as the tournament's best player.

The sporting attention of Africa and the world now turns to Nigeria, where the Under-17 World Cup kicks off next week. Along with the hosts, teams from Algeria, Burkina Faso, Gambia, and Malawi will represent Africa.

1 penalty   

n.处罚，刑罚，罚款

参考例句：

• If you knock the ball with your hand in football,you will suffer a penalty.如果在踢足球时你用手碰到球，你将受到处罚。
• One of those arrested could face the death penalty.被捕的那些人中有一人可能被判死刑。

2 historic   

adj.历史上著名的，具有历史意义的

参考例句：

• This is a historic occasion.这是具有重大历史意义的时刻。
• We are living in a great historic era.我们正处在一个伟大的历史时代。

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 referee   

n.裁判员．仲裁人，代表人，鉴定人

参考例句：

• The team was left raging at the referee's decision.队员们对裁判员的裁决感到非常气愤。
• The referee blew a whistle at the end of the game.裁判在比赛结束时吹响了哨子。

5 tackle   

n.工具，复滑车，扭倒；v.处理，抓住

参考例句：

• Don't forget to bring your sports tackle with you tomorrow.别忘了明天带上你的体育用具。
• We have gained sufficient experience to tackle this problem.我们已经有了足够的经验来处理这个问题。

6 merited   

a.该得的; 应得的; 理所当然的

参考例句：

• He claims that their success was not merited. 他声称他们不应该获得成功。
• Lowell, who succeeded him in the chair, also merited the appointment. 接替他出任这个教职的洛威尔也极其称职。

7 numerical   

adj.数字的，用数字表示的，数值的

参考例句：

• The numbers are in numerical order.这些号码是按数字顺序排列的。
• Modern life is numerical.现代生活是数字化的。

8 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。

9 hectic   

adj.肺病的；消耗热的；发热的；闹哄哄的

参考例句：

• I spent a very hectic Sunday.我度过了一个忙乱的星期天。
• The two days we spent there were enjoyable but hectic.我们在那里度过的两天愉快但闹哄哄的。

10 clinched   

v.（尤指两人）互相紧紧抱[扭]住( clinch的过去式和过去分词 )；解决（争端、交易），达成（协议）

参考例句：

• The two businessmen clinched the deal quickly. 两位生意人很快达成了协议。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Evidently this information clinched the matter. 显然，这一消息使问题得以最终解决。 来自辞典例句

11 resolute   

adj.坚决的，果敢的

参考例句：

• He was resolute in carrying out his plan.他坚决地实行他的计划。
• The Egyptians offered resolute resistance to the aggressors.埃及人对侵略者作出坚决的反抗。