Otto's blog

Russia 2018 Football World Cup

Jun

14

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The World Cup starts tonight! At midnight, Russia are playing Saudi Arabia. I`m not really interested in these two teams, but I think I`ll stay up to watch the game. I don`t have to get up early tomorrow morning, so I can sleep in. Or, if the game is boring, I might fall asleep during the game.

Vocabulary:
- wake up: 目覚める
- get up: 起きる
- stay up: 遅くまで起きる
- fall asleep: 寝入る
- sleep in: 遅く 寝る

Made It!

Nov

15

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Australia finally made it* to the World Cup Finals in Russia next year, by beating Honduras 3-1. Nice. I wish I could make it* to Russia to see them (& Japan!) play live, but I guess I will just have to watch the games on TV. I wonder what the time difference (時差) is...

* 'make it' = successfully reach

Australia v Japan Soccer

Oct

12

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Did you watch the game last night? My wife recorded it (cheers!) & I watched it when I got home from work. I was cheering for Australia, but I think the 1-1 result was fair.

Vocabulary:
- In the above examples, "Cheers!" = ありがとう (not かんぱい)
- In the above example "Cheer for" (動詞) = 応援する

Homare Sawa

Dec

17

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I heard today that Japanese footballer Homare Sawa has finally retired. She had a fantastic career (実績, not Korea 朝鮮!). I think she`s my favourite Japanese sportsperson.

Pronunciation:
- Be careful: hear = ヒーア but heard = ハード (not ヒーアド)

New JSoccer Mag

Jul

25

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In the latest (=newest) JSoccer magazine, there is an article (=story) about J3 league by Teragoya teacher, Stuart. In the article, Stuart writes that Akita (who have a team in J3) "has a reputation for being the home of some of the most beautiful women in Japan". Did you know that? Is it true? Maybe next season Akita fans will visit F.C.Gifu and I can see.

Grammar:
- late --> the latest (一番新しい) BUT beautiful --> the most beautiful (一番美しい)*
*短い形容詞で __est　使う,　　長い形容詞で more ___ 使う

2015 Fifa Womens Final

Jul

7

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Before the final, I asked students what they thought the score would be. Some people said "2-1", someone said "3-0" but no-one said "5-2"!

It was an unexpected & disappointing result. But the Japanese team did well to reach the final, & to score 2 goals against the USA. Australia was the only other team to score a goal against the USA this tournament.

Vocabulary:
- Be careful: somebody/someone = 1 person
- So: "Did anyone dance at the party?" "Yes - some people" (NOT "Somebody")

Japan Through, Australia Out!

Jun

30

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Japan beat Australia in their quarterfinal game last Sunday.

I was expecting an interesting game, but actually it was a little disappointing. Australia played defensively for most of the game. When Japan scored in the 87th minute, the Australian players finally started attacking. But soon they were out of energy, out of time, and out of the 2015 World Cup!

Good-bye Australia. Good luck Japan!

Grammar:
- `out of ___` = `___ がなくなる`:　out of time = 時間がなくなる, out of energy = 力がなくなる, out of money = 金がなくなる, out of luck = 運がなくなる

Australia v Japan Quarterfinal

Jun

26

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It`s on! Japan & Australia will meet this Sunday morning!

I can`t decide which team to support. Whoever wins, I will be both happy & disappointed...

Kick off is 5am. I`ve been recording games & watching them later, but I think I will get up early to watch this game live. Anyway, whenever I watch it, & whichever team wins, I`m sure it will be a great match.

Vocabulary:
Whoever = だれでも Whenever= いつでも Whichever= どちでも Wherever= どこでも

2015 FIFA Women`s World Cup

Jun

18

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Australia & Japan have both made it (made it = successfully reach) to the knock-out stages of the current world cup in Canada. Great!

Unfortunately, Australia will meet Brazil next...

Japan are luckier - they will play Holland, who have not been playing so well.

Anyway, fingers crossed!

Vocabulary:
- Saying "fingers crossed" means to hope for good luck. You might see people actually cross two fingers (making an `x` shape) at places like casinos, horse races etc.

FC Gifu v Consadole Sapporo

Jun

16

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What a big crowd! Such a disappointing score...

On Sunday I watched F.C.Gifu lose 0-1 to Consadole Sapporo. It`s not so bad - I`d expected worse; Consadole Sapporo are pretty strong - currently (= now) 4th in J2 league. Unfortunately the referee ignored (見逃した) two PK appeals by Gifu players. How annoying!

Anyway, it was such nice weather, and so nice to sit outside drinking, eating & screaming abuse (罵る) at the referee, that I didn`t mind the score. I enjoyed myself.

Grammar:
- What/such + (形容詞) 名詞 e.g. What a stadium! Such beautiful grass.
- How/so + 形容詞 e.g. How nice! You`re so kind.
- Be careful: "What a nice!" - WRONG. "So nice stadium" - WRONG.