2006年VOA标准英语-Despite Loss, Ghana Proud of Black Stars' Perfo

By Efam Dovi
Accra
28 June 2006

It has been very anxious moments for fans in Ghana as they watched the Black Stars on television lose to Brazil 3 to 0. Ghana was the last African country to be eliminated from the World Cup. Despite the somber¹ mood after the match, Ghanaians are proud of their soccer team.

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Ghanaian midfielder Derek Boateng (L) challenges Brazilian forward Ronaldo (R)   
  
Some fans in Ghana tooting their car horns at the end of the game against Brazil, celebrating what many here say was a brilliant performance by the Black Stars of Ghana who made their first ever appearance in the World Cup.

But streets in Accra were almost deserted², in sharp contrast to last week when the Black Stars beat United States and the streets of the capital erupted with boisterous³ celebrations.

The police had earlier cautioned fans to celebrate responsibly, and instructed regional and district commanders to deploy⁴ personnel on the street after the match to forestall⁵ a repeat of the lawlessness that marked last week's celebrations.

But the police did not have much to do on Tuesday, as many fans stayed off the streets. Those who did come out were seen in groups discussing the game. Many, like this fan, Victor, believe the Black Stars of Ghana came out of this year's World Cup with honors.

"I think Ghana met a team, a side that has experience, and is ranked very high in global soccer," said Victor. "And so although we went down 3-0, I think we have done our best. A country that has gone first time into world cup and has been able to reach the one sixteen stage."

As is often the case, some fans blamed the referees⁶ for the loss, saying they were unfair to Ghana's side.

"I think it is poor, I think the officiating throughout this World Cup has been scandalous, even you could see it in the last much between Portugal and the Netherlands, it was really bad, the officiating," said one fan. "I mean soccer is a man's game, if we are going to call every foul⁷ on the field then the floor of the game is not going to be there, so I think the officiating was bad, specially⁸ in this game."

But others say the Black Stars of Ghana wasted too many scoring opportunities.

Whatever went wrong, the Black Stars of Ghana will return home to a rousing welcome.

1 somber   

adj.昏暗的，阴天的，阴森的，忧郁的

参考例句：

• He had a somber expression on his face.他面容忧郁。
• His coat was a somber brown.他的衣服是暗棕色的。

2 deserted   

adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的

参考例句：

• The deserted village was filled with a deathly silence.这个荒废的村庄死一般的寂静。
• The enemy chieftain was opposed and deserted by his followers.敌人头目众叛亲离。

3 boisterous   

adj.喧闹的，欢闹的

参考例句：

• I don't condescend to boisterous displays of it.我并不屈就于它热热闹闹的外表。
• The children tended to gather together quietly for a while before they broke into boisterous play.孩子们经常是先静静地聚集在一起，不一会就开始吵吵嚷嚷戏耍开了。

4 deploy   

v.（军）散开成战斗队形，布置，展开

参考例句：

• The infantry began to deploy at dawn.步兵黎明时开始进入战斗位置。
• The president said he had no intention of deploying ground troops.总统称并不打算部署地面部队。

5 forestall   

vt.抢在…之前采取行动；预先阻止

参考例句：

• I left the room to forestall involvements.我抢先离开了这房间以免受牵累。
• He followed this rule in order to forestall rumors.他遵守这条规矩是为了杜绝流言蜚语。

6 referees   

n.裁判员( referee的名词复数 )；证明人；公断人；（专业性强的文章的）审阅人

参考例句：

• The fiery player has had numerous run-ins with referees. 这位脾气暴躁的队员曾和裁判员发生过无数次争吵。
• If you want to appeal, the Court of Referees will decide. 如果你要上诉，可以由仲裁法庭去判决。 来自辞典例句

7 foul   

adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规

参考例句：

• Take off those foul clothes and let me wash them.脱下那些脏衣服让我洗一洗。
• What a foul day it is!多么恶劣的天气！

8 specially   

adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地

参考例句：

• They are specially packaged so that they stack easily.它们经过特别包装以便于堆放。
• The machine was designed specially for demolishing old buildings.这种机器是专为拆毁旧楼房而设计的。