Fluminense defender eyes national call-up

 　　RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Fluminense defender¹ Gum has begun 2013 by making public his desire to pull on the yellow shirt of the Brazilian national team.

　　One of the star performers in the Rio de Janeiro club's league success last year, the centre-half also believes that Fluminense will be one of the favourites to lift a trophy².

　　"Fluminense is always one of the favourites. We were Brazilian champions in 2010 and repeated the success last year. The base of our squad³ is the same, we have a great coach but it counts for nothing if we don't train harder than ever," he said.

　　Gum has been a solid rock at the heart of Fluminense's defence for three years now and believes, if he can continue his consistent form, he has a good chance of earning a national call-up from Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

　　"This (a national call-up) is one of my objectives for 2013. I was very happy with how last year went. Now I want to perform even better this year to give myself the opportunity of playing for the Selecao," he said.

1 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。

2 trophy   

n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品

参考例句：

• The cup is a cherished trophy of the company.那只奖杯是该公司很珍惜的奖品。
• He hung the lion's head as a trophy.他把那狮子头挂起来作为狩猎纪念品。

3 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。