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This week’s listening practice report looks at the 2016 FA Cup quarter-finals that are taking place this weekend. You can listen to the report by clicking on the link above, and you can also read the transcript of the report (below). There are also explanations of key vocabulary (in bold) at the end of the post.Listening Practice Report: 2016 FA Cup Quarter-finals
With Crystal Palace defeating Reading in the first of the four quarter-finals of the 2016 English FA Cup, this week’s listening practice focuses on the remaining three matches in the last eight.
Everton – Chelsea
At the start of the season few would have predicted that a quarter-final between Everton and Chelsea would be a game between teams in 12th and 10th place respectively. The champions Chelsea have finally found some form after a very poor start to the season, while Everton are frustratingly inconsistent and despite their undoubted talent cannot seem to hold on to leads or close out games. With Chelsea being dumped out of the Champions League this week, the Cup is both sides last chance for silverware this season. Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink will have fond memories of playing Everton in the FA Cup after overseeing his side’s win in the 2009 final. This one will be difficult to call but I fancy Everton to squeeze through.
Manchester United – West Ham United
Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal finds himself under more pressure after a poor performance in the recent Europa League defeat at rivals Liverpool and he needs to do well in this season’s FA Cup. The hosts face a West Ham team brimming with confidence and they currently lie in 5th place after three consecutive wins in the league. Their manager Slaven BilićA has built a strong side that is dreaming of its first success in the Cup since 1980. They could make it through against United but may need a replay to do so.
Arsenal – Watford
Arsenal are looking to become the first team to ‘threepeat’ the FA Cup since since the 19th Century. ‘Threepeat’ is a coined expression that means a team has won a title three years in succession. They are at home against Watford who, under the stewardship of former Spanish international Quique Sánchez Flores, have quietly gone about their business in the league – currently sitting in 13th place in the top tier. Arsenal should win this one but don’t rule out Watford.
Vocabulary
A the last eight: The quarter-finals
few would have predicted: Not many people saw/thought
to hold on to leads: A team that is leading does not always win
close out games: To manage the game, to ensure that the result stays the way you want it to
being dumped out of: Knocked out of
fond memories: Happy memories
difficult to call: Hard to predict
to squeeze through: Just about qualify
brimming with confidence: Full of confidence
make it through: Qualify
threepeat: A recently coined phrase that means to win a title three years in a row
stewardship: Leadership
have quietly gone about their business: Played well without any fanfare
rule out: disregard
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