English Essay by Sunil Kapoor, Niigata City ALT
68 What a Weekend! (part 3) READING (slow)(fast)
What a Weekend! (Part 3)
Day Two was in Shibata
City’s Ijimino Park. It was raining
again, just like on Day One. The
first game on this day was Croatia versus USA. Both teams won their first game, so the
winner of this game would have a good chance to win the tournament.
The USA started strongly again,
scoring first. But after a while,
Croatia started to make chances. They scored
two goals just after halftime to lead 2-1. But in the last 25 minutes, the Americans
scored 3 times to win 4-2.
We
were there to support the American team again. My friend came with us, and he brought
his big American flag and a cow bell.
I brought my USA team soccer ball.
We watched the game with excitement, and we cheered the
USA with the flag and the bell. After
the game, the American players again waved at us, thanking us for
the support.
Again
the USA team was down, but they found their feet to win the game
in the second half, just like on Day One.
We were very happy and very proud.
The
next game was a derby. A derby
game is a game played between two rival teams, usually two local
teams from the same area. I like to
think Japan versus Niigata is a derby because both teams are home teams and
local.
This
derby was very exciting. Niigata scored
the first goal early, and the crowd was very excited. But after that, Japan attacked the Niigata
goal many, many times. Two shots hit
the post, one hit the crossbar.
There was so much pressure on the Niigata goal, but still Japan could
not score. Niigata’s goalkeeper and
defense were outstanding, especially Goson Sakai. Niigata suffered for 80 minutes. But at the end, it was Niigata 1, Japan
0. Niigata had beaten Japan for
the second time in three years.
Before the Niigata-Japan game,
we went outside the small stadium.
We met the American players and coaches again. They were boarding the
bus for Niigata City. I asked the team
manager, Sam, if the players could sign my USA soccer ball. I was very excited when he answered, “Sure
Sunil, no problem.” He thanked us for
coming to support again. He asked if we
were coming the next day. When I said
yes, he said “I’ll give you the ball tomorrow, just before our game. See you then.”
I was looking forward to
it. (More to come.)
<注>
Shibata City’s Ijimino Park(新発田市五十公野公園)
just like(ちょうど〜のように),Croatia versus
USA(クロアチア対アメリカ)
would(〜だっただろう<willの過去形>)to win the tournament(トーナメントで優勝するために),scoring first(最初に得点すること)
after a while(しばらくして),scored(得点した),just after(すぐ後で)
to lead 2-1(2対1とリードして),to support(応援するために)
brought(持ってきた<bringの過去形>),a cow bell(ベル,鐘鈴)
with excitement(興奮して),cheered(応援した),waved(手を振った)
thanking us(私たちに感謝しながら),down(落ちこむ)
found their feet(本領を発揮した),in the second
half(後半)
proud(誇らしげな),derby(ダービー,競争),two rival teams(2つのライバルチーム)
two local teams from the same area(同じ地域の2つの地元チーム)
the crowd(観衆),Two shots hit the
post(2本のシュートがポストに当たった)
the crossbar(<ゴールポストの上にある>クロスバー)
could not score(得点できなかった),outstanding(傑出した,実に優れた)
especially Goson Sakai(特に酒井高聖<さかい ごうそん>)
suffered(苦しんだ),had beaten(打ち負かした<過去完了形>)
the small stadium(小さな競技場),were boarding(乗ろうとしていた)
was looking forward to(〜を楽しみにして待っていた)
Questions
& Answers for Part 3
Please
answer the questions in a complete sentence and in English.
Q1. Where was Day Two of the tournament?
Q2. In the Croatia versus USA game, which team
scored first?
Q3. What did Sunil and his friend bring to the
game?
Q4. Does Sunil think Japan versus Niigata is a
derby?
Q5. In three years, how many times has Niigata
beaten Japan?
Answers
A1. It was in Shibata City’s Ijimino Park.
A2. The USA did.
A3. They brought an American flag, a cow bell,
and a USA team soccer ball.
A4. Yes, he does.
A5. Niigata has beaten Japan two times in three
years.