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Learning English Through Football Podcast: 2022 World Cup Preview: Groups E-H

Groups E-HOn this football language podcast for learners of English, we preview four of the groups from the 2022 World Cup: Groups E-H. Check out the preview for E-H here. You can read the transcript for this podcast below, there is also a worksheet, while you can also check out our glossary of footballing phrases here and visit our site to access all our previous posts and podcasts – we have lots of World Cup resources too. If you have any suggestions or questions then you can contact us at admin@languagecaster.com.

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Learning English Through Football Podcast: 2022 World Cup Preview: Groups E-H

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DB: Hi there everyone. You are listening to Languagecaster.com – the football-language podcast for learners of English who love the beautiful game of football. My name’s Damon and I am one half of the Languagecaster team. I’m recording this in a rainy and chilly Tokyo. I’m sure it is not chilly and rainy in Qatar, where the World Cup 2022 is underway! We’ll be hearing from London, and Damian, the other member of the team later on in the show as he gives us his predictions for the teams he thinks will get into the last 16 from groups E, F, H and H.

Stinger: You are listening to languagecaster.com (in Japanese)

DF: Yes, you are listening to Languagecaster and that message was in Japanese – and the Japanese team are in a really tough group, Group F. Right, let’s get stuck in to taking a look at groups E to H. While we listen to Damian’s predictions, we’ll also taking a look at the team’s FIFA rankings and some nicknames, too.

Stinger: You are listening to languagecaster.com (inA Spanish)


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DF: That message was in Spanish and the Spanish side is in the same group as Germany, Japan, and Costa Rica. Costa Rica squeaked in to the World Cup, qualifying in the last spot, fourth, from CONCACAF.A Ranked 31st, Costa Rica are some way behind Japan in the FIFA rankings. The Blue Samurai, the Japan men’s team’s nickname, are ranked 24th. The mood in Japan is that they face an impossible task. This is because they are together with two heavy weights from Europe, Germany, Die Mannschaft, The Team, ranked 11th and Spain, ranked 7th.

Who is going through? Well, let’s hear what Damian has to say.

DF:A Hi everyone, this is Damian. Right, here are my predictions for Group E. I think this group is fairly clear-cut. Spain and Germany are clearly stronger than Japan and Costa Rica – we can see this in the FIFA rankings – and I think both of those sides will go through. Spain first, Germany second, Japan third, Costa Rica 4th

DB: It’s hard not to disagree with Damian. But I do think Japan may pull off a surprise, maybe a draw with Germany.


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DF: OK, let’s move to Group F, with Morocco, ranked 22nd, making their sixth appearance. In this group too are Belgium, the second strongest team in the rankings according to FIFA, but is their golden generation just getting too old? I remember watching them nearly go out to Japan in 2018! With these two are last tournament’s losing finalists, Croatia, who beat England in the semis in extra time, ranked 12th, and Canada, 41st.A Here’s Damian’s predictions:

DF:A Now, Group F we have Belgium Canada, Morocco and Croatia. Now, Croatia have done well in tournaments recently but I have a feeling that Canada and Morocco might cause an upset here. Belgium will definitely go through anda€¦ I’m going to go fora€¦ Morocco to go through.

DB: Wow! I think that would be an upset. I’m sticking with the form book and backing Croatia and Belgium to go through. Canada to lose all their games.

Stinger: You are listening to languagecaster.com (from a Brazilian fan)

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DB. And that message was in Brazilian, and this is where the number one ranked team are, Brazil are surely favourites in Group G. A fearsome attack, including Neymar, Raphina, Richarlson,A Vinícius Jr, and others. The Selecao are joined by Serbia, Switzerland, and Cameroon, making it an intriguing group, as all these teams are very capable.

Switzerland are ranked 15th, and with their captain, Granit Xhaka, in great form in the Premier league, will be confident. Serbia are ranked 21st and Cameroon 43rd. What does Damian think?

DF:A OK, in Group G it’s fairly straight forward which team is going to win that’s the World Cup favourites Brazil but who’s going to come second and qualify for the last 16? Switzerland have really improved over the last few tournaments. Cameroon are going to be really good but I’m going to go for Serbia. Serbia are going to come second.

DB: Big call again from Damian, and I agree. Perhaps Serbia will function better as a team. I also think all teams may drop points, a draw here a loss there, etc.

Stinger: You are listening to languagecaster.com (in Korean)


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DB: Thank you for that message, which was in Korean. And that brings us to our last group, group H. Korea, ranked 28th face a daunting task in this group. The Asian team face strong opposition, and their first match is against Uruguay, many people’s dark horses. Ranked 14th, the Uruguayan outfit will fear nobody, and with experience running through the side in all areas, they will be a tough nut to crack.

Hoping to crack them are Portugal, ranked 9th, and Ghana, an outsider at 61st in the world. Ghana would love to get revenge for the defeat they suffered to Uruguay in 2010 when Suarez’s deliberate handball and the missed penalty, followed by a penalty shootout loss saw them miss out on the quarter finals.

I wonder what Damian thinks?

DF: Group H. Well we’ve got Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea. Now Portugal have been tipped by many to do well I don’t think they’re going to get out of the group. I think it’s going to be Ghana and my tips of dark horses which are Uruguay – A Uruguay will win the group, Ghana to come second, Portugal to go out.

DB: No, I disagree. Although I would love to see Ghana progress, their form has not been good at all this past year. Portugal to go through with Uruguay toping the group.

OK, thanks to Damian for his predictions. What do we think will happen? AndA if you have any other football language questions or want to describe any football terms in your language then let us know by adding a comment on our site here or by using our forum. We’ve also started a couple of threads about the World Cup where you can post your predictions or simply ask and answer questions about World Cup language. You can also send us an email at admin@languagecaster.com and look out for us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Goodbye

OK, that’s it for this World Cup football-language podcast.A We’ll be back with some more language about the beautiful game very soon. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and to join in the football-language conversation on our forums. Enjoy all the football this week and we’ll talk to you again soon. Ta-ra!

Related Links

Learn English Through Football Podcast
Learn English Through Football Podcast
Damian Fitzpatrick

Learn English Through Football Podcast: A show for football fans to improve their English language skills

Hosted by
grell

I was born and brought up near Chester in the north west of England. I have always loved playing and talking about sport, especially football!
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