James: England Must Look Forward to World Cup Play-Offs
The England women's football team is playing Greece in a two-legged play-off to qualify for the World Cup. They play away in Crete on Friday and then at home in Leicester. Star player Lauren James says they cannot change their situation and must look forward. Winning keeps their dream of playing in Brazil alive.
The England women's football team has a very important challenge. They want to go to the World Cup in Brazil next summer. However, they finished in second place in their qualifying group. Spain finished in first place because they had a better goal difference. Now, England must play in a special play-off.
England will play two games against Greece. The first game is on Friday. The team will play this game away in Crete. After that, they will play the second game at home. This game will be at the King Power Stadium in Leicester. It will happen four days after the first game.
Sarina Wiegman is the manager of the England team. She wants her players to focus on these matches. Lauren James is a star player for England. She talked about the team's situation. She told reporters that they cannot change the past. She wants everyone to look forward. She believes the team must win these games.
First, England must beat Greece. After that, they will play against the winner of the match between Slovakia and Ukraine. The winner of that final round will secure a place at the World Cup.
Lauren James wants the team to play without regrets. The players are training hard for the Friday match. Many fans will travel to Greece to support them, and many more will watch on television. The team is ready to fight for their place in Brazil.
Take a position. Out loud, if you can.
Four ways to start. Pick one and try saying it before you scroll on.
Tip · Record yourself, use in a notebook, or practice with a language partner.
Why did Spain finish in first place ahead of England?
Future with 'will'
We use 'will' followed by the base form of the verb to make predictions or state future facts.
“The team will play this game away in Crete.”
What to know · A2
Try saying this aloud
Scenario: You are explaining your weekend plans to a classmate.
- 01“will play two games”
- 02“It will happen four days after...”
- 03“ready to fight for...”
Register tip · informal
🔑Key Phrases
The reason Spain finished above England in the group.
They won the tournament because they had a better goal difference.
A philosophical view about focusing on the future rather than past mistakes.
We made mistakes, but we cannot change the past.
To successfully qualify for the major international tournament.
The team needs a draw to secure a place at the World Cup.
Article Audio — Kokoro TTS
James: England Must Look Forward to World Cup Play-Offs
💬Discussion Questions
Open-ended questions to talk or write about — alone, with a partner, or in class.
- 1
How do you feel when your favorite sports team loses a game?
Personal - 2
Is it fair to decide group winners using goal difference?
Evaluate - 3
What are the advantages of playing a match at home compared to away?
Compare - 4
Do you think playing under pressure makes athletes perform better or worse?
Opinion - 5
Would you travel to another country to watch a major sporting event?
Personal - 6
What qualities make someone a star player like Lauren James?
Opinion - 7
How important is a manager's role in keeping players motivated?
Evaluate - 8
What is the biggest sporting event in your country?
Compare
News sourced from: Sky Sports →. LectoPress rewrites the facts as original graded-reader text for language learners.
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