2007年VOA标准英语-US Women's Soccer Team Regroups After Draw with

By Jim Stevenson
Chengdu, China
12 September 2007

The United States women's soccer team has returned to training after playing North Korea to a 2-2 draw on Tuesday at the Women's World Cup in China.  VOA's Jim Stevenson has this update on the team's preparations in Chengdu.

USA's Abby Wambach, front, fights for the ball against North Korea's Ri Kum Suk during their Group B World Cup match, 11 Sept. 2007

The U.S. women had a light practice as rain continued to fall in the Chengdu area.  After a physical Group-B game with North Korea, players were using the time to rest and recover for a game on Friday against Sweden, the 2003 World Cup runner-up.

U.S. coach Greg Ryan was pleased with the way his team dug in to salvage¹ the opening game draw.  He singled out forward Abby Wambach, who played much of the second half with stitches² in her head following a brutal³ on-field collision.

"She is as brave as a lion," he said.  "And she leads our team.  We were down a goal yesterday.  She comes back on the field, [with] blood on her head, blood on her shirt.  And just gives everything she has.  I think she is really the heart and soul of this team."

Wambach says the team has to work harder when it is suddenly missing a player and is not at full strength.

"It is just part of the game.  It is one of those things that happens, unfortunately," she noted⁴.  "Playing a man down was hard on our team.  We conceded⁵ two goals.  And that is just something we have to get better at as a team.  If we go down a man, we have got to be able to prepare to switch it up quicker and better."

Meanwhile in Group-C play in Hongzhou, Australia topped Ghana, 4-1.  Norway rallied⁶ to beat Canada, 2-1.  In Wuhan, Brazil thrashed New Zealand, 5-0.  The other Group-D match saw host China edge Denmark, 3-2.

The 16-nation tournament concludes September 30 in Shanghai.

1 salvage   

v.救助，营救，援救；n.救助，营救

参考例句：

• All attempts to salvage the wrecked ship failed.抢救失事船只的一切努力都失败了。
• The salvage was piled upon the pier.抢救出的财产被堆放在码头上。

2 stitches   

n.（缝纫或编织中的）一针( stitch的名词复数 )；缝法；衣服；（缝合伤口的）缝线v.缝，缝补，缝合( stitch的第三人称单数 )；[引申]把某物连在一起

参考例句：

• Try to keep the stitches small and straight. 针脚要尽量缝得小而直。
• Knit the next two stitches together to make the garment narrower. 下两针织在一起，把衣服弄瘦点儿。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 brutal   

adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的

参考例句：

• She has to face the brutal reality.她不得不去面对冷酷的现实。
• They're brutal people behind their civilised veneer.他们表面上温文有礼，骨子里却是野蛮残忍。

4 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

5 conceded   

v.承认( concede的过去式和过去分词 )；出让，容许；承认(比赛、选举等失败

参考例句：

• After the First World War Germany conceded its neighbours much valuable land. 第一次世界大战后，德国让与其邻国许多宝贵的领土。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• They have conceded us the right to cross their land. 他们已容许我们经过他们的土地。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

6 rallied   

恢复( rally的过去式和过去分词 )； 价格回升； 集合起来； 嘲笑

参考例句：

• Has the child rallied from her high fever yet? 这个女孩的高烧退了吗？
• The enemy's forces rallied, and made a fresh attack on the town. 敌军重新调集兵力，对该城发动了又一次进攻。