Lesson 5: Our winners in the global arena

Key words : amazing individual grab dedicate

A. Read the following article published in The Kathmandu Post about the historic win of Bangladesh in SAFF U-20 Championship football tournament.

Bangladesh maul Nepal to win maiden SAFF U-20 Championship crown Published on: August 28, 2024

Bangladesh wrote a new chapter in South Asian football history on Wednesday as they defeated hosts Nepal 4-1 in the final at the ANFA Complex in Lalitpur to win their maiden SAFF U-20 Championship title.

Mirajul Islam scored a brace, Rabby Hossen Rahul added the third and Piash Ahmmed Nova rounded off a ruthless victory with their fourth goal as the Bengal Tigers finally got hands on the trophy nine years after the inception of the championship.

Backed by home support, and with defending champions India already out of the competition, Nepal started as strong favourites—having also beaten the Tigers 2-1 in the group stage—and were looking to reclaim the throne. But Urjan Shrestha's side were so wasteful and took too lightly a Bangladeshi team that had undone India in the semi-finals. Nirajan Dhami was the biggest threat to Bangladesh in the first half, constantly bullying the opponents' post with his long rangers. Bangladesh scored their first goal in the injury time of the first half with a clinical freekick from Mirajul, whose shot from just outside the edge of the box hit the upright before finding the net. The lead injected so much energy into Bangladesh that they were all over Nepal after the restart. Although Nepal pressed for equaliser immediately, it was Bangladesh who proved to be a better team with their second goal in the 55th minute thanks to Mirajul. Mirajul scored four goals to top the goal-scoring tally in the championship. The two-goal deficit soaked all the life out of Nepal and Bangladesh took full advantage of it, adding another goal in the 71st minute scored by Rahul. Samir Tamang gave some hopes of a fight back, reducing the deficit in the 80th minute with a free header. Nova then put the final nail in the coffin, sending the ball through the legs of Shekh in the sixth minute of stoppage time. Mirajul was declared the most valuable player of the tournament, while Asif won the best goalkeeper award. Nepal received the fair play award. Bangladesh U-20 team coach AKM Maruful Haque dedicated the trophy to "the heroes and their souls who sacrificed their lives for the sake of a new Bangladesh." "I hope this championship will inspire the nation to reform Bangladesh," he added. [Abridged]

Okay, here's the picture text without the answers to the questions:

B. Find the meanings of the underlined words and phrases from the article using a dictionary or the internet. Match the words/phrases in the left column with their meanings in the right column.

| 1. maul | a. to change or improve something | | :------------------- | :--------------------------------- | | 2. scored a brace | b. the beginning | | 3. ruthless | c. a goal that levels the score | | 4. inception | d. lack or shortage | | 5. undone | e. a final blow | | 6. bullying | f. to hurt badly | | 7. injury time | g. efficient and effective | | 8. clinical | h. defeated | | 9. injected | i. extra time | | 10. equaliser | j. scored two goals | | 11. deficit | k. added or introduced | | 12. nail in the coffin | l. harming or scaring someone | | 13. fair play | m. without mercy or pity | | 14. reform | n. following the rules and being honest |

C. Answer the following questions in pairs.

D. Write a paragraph on the best football match you have played or watched. Share your work with a partner and ask them to correct any mistakes.

D

Read and listen to the teacher/CD. As you listen, fill in the gaps in the text with the right words.

Listening text: 9

The Daily Financial Express

VOL 2020 NO 311DA 1589 | Dhaka, ______ 2010

Bangladeshi shooters clinched both the ______ gold medals in the women’s 10-meter Air Rifle event at the Asian Games on the opening day of the ______ Complex in Gulshan Tuesday, reports UNB. Bangladesh shooting team comprising Sharmin Akhter Ratna, Syeda Sadia Sultana, and Tripti Dutta grabbed the team event’s gold medal ______ a total 1191 out of 1200. Sharmin Akhter Raina scored 398, Syeda Sadia Sultana scored 397, and Tripti Dutta scored 396 on the way to win the team gold.

Sharmin Akhter Ratna also ______ the individual gold medal of the same event scoring 499.4 out of 500 - the best ever score by any Bangladeshi shooter.

Her teammate Syeda Sadia Sultana earned a silver medal scoring 498.3 in a keenly contested event. Both ______, “We are looking for the Olympic gold.”

Sadia said, "I am so happy. It gives me immense ______ to bag the gold in the event. Now it is time to look ______." With this success, both expect gold in the upcoming Olympic Games. The two shooters ______ their medals to their parents as well as the people of Bangladesh.

E

Suppose you are going to take an interview of the golden girls of Bangladesh. What questions will you ask them?