On this week’s review section who did well in the World Cup qualifiers, Terry in the headlines gain, and new revelations about an old injustice. You can find explanations of key vocabulary in bold below.
Good
In a week of World Cup qualifiers it was good for Mexico in the CONCACAF region as they qualify for the next round. The central American side top their group and can’t be overhauled after beating Costa Rica 1-0 at home. And in Europe, Switzerland made it two wins out of two with no goals conceded with their 2-0 win over Albania. Argentina top the South American qualifying table, despite drawing away in Peru, and in Asia South Korea and Japan make the early running topping their two groups
Bad
It’s handshakegate all over again as Queens Park Rangers host Chelsea in the Premier League. The build up to the game has been overshadowed by talk about whether or not the two teams should line up to shake the oppositions hands before kick off. Why are people asking this question, well, it’s John Terry in the spotlight again. The ex-England captain and Chelsea captain is being investigated by the FA for allegedly racially abusing Les Ferdinand, the QPR defender in a game last season.A The handshake routine was introduced in 2004 to promote fair play, but most seasoned fans would probably argue there was more fair play in the game pre-2004. Time to scrap this farce and concentrate on fair play when the game is being played.
Ugly
The way the police, politicians, and sections of the media, particularly The Sun, conspired to smear Liverpool fans after 96 died in a deadly crush at Hillsborough 23 years ago. Fans were blamed mainly by senior police for causing the disaster and for also stopping police and rescue services from helping – all lies. An incredibly ugly chapter in the history of football in England.
Vocabulary
overhauled: caught – in a league
conceded: allowed a goal to be scored
the build up: the news, talking points and reports before a game
handshakegate: a word with ~gate added to it implies a scandalA or talking point (see Watergate)
overshadowed: made less important; demoted from the top story in the news
in the spotlight: in the headlines; a main story in the newspapers and on the news
seasoned: experienced; knowledgeable
smear: blame/criticise by lying about someone’s character
