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.