The 32 World Cup teams are divided into eight groups of four during the group stage of the 2014 World Cup. In the fifthA of a series of our WorldA Cup Reading ReportsA we focus on Group EA which includes Switzerland, France, Honduras and Ecuador. There is a transcript below and a list of key vocabulary.
World Cup 2014 Reading Report: GroupA E
France
This is probably one of the easier groups in the group stages and France, ranked 17th in the world by FIFA will be confident of progressing. Les Bleus had a nightmare of a tournament in 2010, failing to win a game. They will be hoping that the team is more unified than it was then and they can express themselves on the pitch and take advantage of their lucky draw. They suffered a blow when Frank Ribery was ruled out of the tournament, but they have quality all over the pitch and this time should have few problems qualifying.
Switzerland
The seeded team in theA group and ranked 6th in the world this June, Switzerland are an unassuming side that go about their business with quiet efficiency. But they are no mugs,A despite having won no major internationalA tournaments. Many pundits think they could surprise a few people and make it to the second stage quite easily, and remember they beat Spain in the last competition 1-0.
Ecuador
Ranked 26th in the world, the South American team will be confident that they can find the net, but it is at the back that they may have problems. La Tri qualified for the World CupA from the South American group above Uruguay, and Monetro on the left and Valencia on the right will pose opposing teams problems. They showed they can cope with pressure when they beat their rivals for a place at the World Cup, Uruguay, in the last match of qualifying. That meant Uruguay and to play in the play offs to make it to the finals.
Honduras
The outsiders in the group, the Central American outfit are an uncompromising side that rely on the counter attack.A Their coach, Suraez, will be hoping that their compact defence can stifle their opponents and allow a smash and grab win to give them a chance of progressing.A Los Catrachos , ranked 33rd by FIFA in the world, will probably be packing their bags early in the competition, but they may leave a few opposition players nursing a few bruises.
Predictions
France top with Switzerland second.
Vocabulary
Les Bleus: (The Blues) The French team’s nickname
be ruled out: Be told that you cannot play
quality all over the pitch: Good players in every position
are no mugs:A Are not naive; have experience; cannot be taken lightly
find the net:A Score
La Tri: Ecuador’sA nickname
poseA problems:A Make things difficult; challenge
cope with the pressure:A Be able to play under pressure; can perform in an important match
uncompromising:A Physical; not afraid to tackle hard
stifle:A Not allow the opposing side to be creative; stop the opposition from doing something
Pack their bags early: Fail to progress; not be able to go to the next round
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