VOA标准英语2009-Brazil Wins Confederations Cup in Last Minut

Brazil has won football's Confederations Cup after overcoming a two-point deficit¹ to beat the United States by a score of 3-2. Here's our report from Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.
　
Brazilian players kiss the Confederations Cup trophy² after defeating the US 3-2 in Johannesburg, 28 Jun 2009

Brazil dominated the match overall, but trailed the United States until the final minutes of the game because of two early U.S. goals - the first by Clint Dempsey in the 10th minute and the second by Landon Donovan in the 37th.

But the Brazilians came out strongly in the second half and equalized with two goals by player-of-the-tournament Luis Fabiano in the 46th and 74th minutes of the game.

With only six minutes left in regulation time, Lucio headed a corner kick into the goal and Brazil took the lead.

Brazilian coach Dunga praised his team as dedicated³ and committed. But he also paid tribute to his opponents.

He says that although Brazil has lost only once to the United States, all of their games against them have been difficult and combative⁴. He said the U.S. team has strong tactics, discipline and is very physical. So they are not beaten easily.

U.S. coach Bob Bradley said he was disappointed over losing a two-goal lead, but said he also felt great pride in his team.

"When we get past the disappointment, we know that we are making progress," said Bob Bradley. "You learn from these kinds of experiences, from these kinds of games. But it doesn't make it any easier on the night."

Earlier in the day, Spain took third place in the Confederations Cup, overcoming South Africa by a score of 3-2. But the victory came only after midfielder Xabi Alonso scored the winning goal in the 107th minute of extra time.

The game was a scoreless draw until the 73rd minute when South Africa's Katlego Mphela struck. But Spain surged into the lead 15 minutes later on two goals scored within a minute of each other by Spanish forward Daniel Guiza.

With seconds left in regulation time, South Africa equalized on a free kick by Mphela that sent the game into 30 nail-biting minutes of overtime⁵.

1 deficit   

n.亏空，亏损；赤字，逆差

参考例句：

• The directors have reported a deficit of 2.5 million dollars.董事们报告赤字为250万美元。
• We have a great deficit this year.我们今年有很大亏损。

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 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

4 combative   

adj.好战的；好斗的

参考例句：

• Mr. Obama has recently adopted a more combative tone.奥巴马总统近来采取了一种更有战斗性的语调。
• She believes that women are at least as combative as are.她相信女性至少和男性一样好斗。

5 overtime   

adj.超时的，加班的；adv.加班地

参考例句：

• They are working overtime to finish the work.为了完成任务他们正在加班加点地工作。
• He was paid for the overtime he worked.他领到了加班费。