New Season: Curtain raiser
New Season: Curtain raiser
Welcome to This Week from Premier Skills English, a weekly review of football action for learners of English from across the globe. In This Week, Jack and Rich talk about the latest action from the Premier League and the world of football. They keep you up to date with our latest competitions and have lots of football English for you to learn.
Transcript
Introduction
Jack: Hello my name’s Jack and welcome to our weekly round-up section called ‘This Week’ on Premier Skills English.
Rich: Hi there. I’m Rich. We’ve got lots of interesting words and phrases to help you talk about football in English.
Jack: We want you to use and practise these phrases by interacting with Premier League fans from around the world in our comments section.
Rich: If you listen to us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, you can leave your comments in the review section. We do read all the reviews and would love to hear from you.
Jack: You can find all our latest content on the Premier Skills English homepage or the Premier Skills-British Council Facebook page.
Rich: Let’s start with our headlines!
Headlines
Jack: Not so friendly in Shanghai!
Rich: Manchester United beat Tottenham 2-1 in the International Champions Cup in what is basically a friendly between the two teams. However, there were some tough tackles in the match and at one point the teams had to be separated by the referee. After the match, Spurs manager Mauricio Poccettinio apologised for the strong challenges from his players.
Jack: Wolves get off to a winning start!
Rich: Wolverhampton Wanderers have officially started their season with a 2-0 win against Crusaders of Northern Ireland. Wolves need to beat Crusaders and then another two teams in Europa League qualifying to get into the main draw. Diogo Jota’s fine finish and Ruben Vinagre’s late second got them over the line against the Northern Irish minnows.
Jack: Community Shield set to kick off new season.
Rich: Sunday the 4th of August will see Manchester City take on Liverpool in the official curtain-raiser for the new season. The Community Shield is the traditional match between the Premier League Champions and FA Cup winners at Wembley Stadium.
Jack: Hold on a minute. Manchester City won the double last season.
Rich: OK, let me clear that up. When a team does the double the Community Shield is between the Premier League Champions and the Premier League runners-up - the team that finished second.
Vocabulary alert!
Rich: In our vocabulary alert, we look at some football English that we used in the headlines.
Jack: Our six words and phrases this week are: a friendly, a tough tackle, the main draw, a minnow, to take on and curtain-raiser.
Rich: Let’s start with a friendly. A friendly match or just ‘a friendly’ is a match between two teams that is not part of an official competition.
Jack: Friendlies are often played before the season starts and are often between teams from different countries and leagues and often played in different countries.
Rich: Manchester United beat Spurs in a friendly in China last week.
Jack: The next phrase is a tough tackle. A tackle is when one player tries to take the ball from an opponent. A tough tackle is a tackle that is strong and possibly a little bit dangerous.
Rich: There were plenty of tough tackles or strong challenges flying around in that Spurs - Manchester United match. Right, the next phrase is the main draw. The main draw is a phrase that is used to describe the fixtures in the most important part of a competition.
Jack: Before the main draw or the main part of the competition there are qualifying matches. For example, only 32 countries qualified for the main draw of the World Cup in Russia but over 100 countries tried to qualify.
Rich: Our next word is a minnow. In football, the word minnow is used to describe a small football team - one that plays in a lower league. We often talk about giants against minnows n cup competitions.
Jack: The next phrase is to take on and it’s a phrasal verb that means to challenge.
Rich: Next Sunday Liverpool take on Manchester City. They are challenging them in a football match.
Jack: Right, our final phrase this week originally comes from the world of the theatre. It’s a curtain-raiser. In the theatre, a curtain-raiser is a small performance that happens before the main event.
Rich: And it’s used in a similar way in football. The Community Shield is the curtain-raiser before the league season starts.
Football Awards
Rich: Right, every week, we give out three Matchweek awards.
Jack: The awards are Player of the Week, Team of the Week and Goal of the Week.
Rich: In the comments section, you need to tell us if you agree with our choices. Not much official action this week so we’re going to give some less official awards.
Jack: Let’s start with Team of the Week. Our Team of the Week is Manchester United. The unIted team have travelled further than any other team during pre-season. They have been to Australia, Singapore, China Norway and Wales and clocked up around 20,000 miles which is 32000 kilometres.
Rich: Hope they don’t have jet lag at the beginning of the season. Right, our next award is Player of the Week and it goes to Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal.
Jack: Pepe hasn’t played a match for Arsenal yet but has signed from Lille in France and will be the third most expensive signing ever in the Premier League. I can’t wait to see the winger in action.
Rich: Finally, goal of the week and back to the action for this one and it goes to Diogo Jota. He got Wolves first official goal of the season in Europa League qualifying. It was a cracking half-volley.
Season Predictions
Jack: This is where Rich usually gives a Premier League prediction. We’re less than two weeks away from the start of the season and Rich has some season predictions.
Rich: Last week I predicted the teams to go down
Jack: And this week you're going to predict the teams that will finish in the Champions League places. Off you go.
Rich: Right, well, first of all, I’m going to tell you the teams that I think have a chance of finishing in the top four. There are the teams that finished in the top four last season Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham and then four more - Manchester United and Arsenal and two dark horses which for me are Leicester City and Everton.
Jack: Everton? Really?
Rich: Yes, they’re getting a good team together and I think they’ll do really well this season. Leicester are another dark horse for me - they’ve bought really well and have a good, experienced manager.
Jack: So, who’s going to make it?
Rich: I know that I’ve just said that Everton and Leicester will do well but I think they will fall short and three of last season’s top four will finish in the top four again.
Jack: So you think Arsenal will make it?
Rich: Nope, sorry I think Manchester United will do well under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and finish in the top four with Chelsea dropping out. So my top four will be the two manchester clubs, Liverpool and Tottenham.
Jack: And who will finish top?
Rich: I'll tell you next week.
Jack: Can’t wait! Right, that’s all we have time for this week. If you listen to us on Apple Podcasts, don’t forget to leave us a review. We’d love to hear from you.
Rich: Bye for now and enjoy your football.
Headlines
Not so friendly in Shanghai!
Manchester United beat Tottenham 2-1 in the International Champions Cup in what is basically a friendly between the two teams. However, there were some tough tackles in the match and at one point the teams had to be separated by the referee. After the match, Spurs manager Mauricio Poccettinio apologised for the strong challenges from his players.
Headlines
Wolves get off to a winning start!
Wolverhampton Wanderers have officially started their season with a 2-0 win against Crusaders of Northern Ireland. Wolves need to beat Crusaders and then another two teams, in Europa League qualifying, to get into the main draw. Diogo Jota’s fine finish and Ruben Vinagre’s late second got them over the line against the Northern Irish minnows.
Headlines
Community Shield set to kick off new season
Sunday the 4th of August will see Manchester City take on Liverpool in the official curtain-raiser for the new season. The Community Shield is the traditional match between the Premier League Champions and FA Cup winners at Wembley Stadium.
Vocabulary Alert
Football English
We looked at six pieces of football English that you can learn to improve your English. Take a look at the phrases in bold. Do you understand what they mean?
Manchester United beat Spurs in a friendly in China last week. A friendly match or just ‘a friendly’ is a match between two teams that is not part of an official competition.
There were plenty of tough tackles flying around in that Spurs - Manchester United match. A tough tackle is a tackle that is strong and possibly a little bit dangerous.
Only 32 countries qualified for the main draw of the World Cup in Russia but over 100 countries tried to qualify. The main draw is a phrase that is used to describe the fixtures in the most important part of a competition.
Wolves beat the Irish minnows, Crusaders, by two goals to nil. The word minnow is used to describe a small football team - one that plays in a lower league.
Next Sunday Liverpool take on Manchester City. To take on is a phrasal verb that means to challenge.
City and Liverpool will play the official curtain-raiser for the new season. A curtain-raiser is a small performance that happens before the main event and is used in a similar way in football. The Community Shield is the curtain-raiser before the league season starts.
Can you use the words in bold in a different sentence? Write a sentence at the bottom of the page. If you're not sure, listen to the audio for more explanations and examples.
Matchweek Awards
Do you agree with our choices?
Player of the Week: Nicolas Pepe (Arsenal)
Team of the Week: Manchester United
Goal of the Week: Diogo Jota (Wolves)
Predictions
Premier League Predictions: The Top Four
As we get ready for the new season many people will be making predictions about what is going to happen this season. Over the next few weeks, Rich will make a few predictions; which team is going to win the Premier League, which teams are going to do well and which teams are going to struggle. This week, Rich predicts the teams that will finish in the top four this season.
Do you agree with Rich's predictions? What's your opinion?
Let us know in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Five Questions
What do you think?
Jack and Rich have spoken about This Week in football. Now it's your turn! Have a look at the questions and write your answers in the comments section below.
- Are friendly matches just about improving fitness or more than that?
- Has a Premier League team ever played a friendly in your country? Do you think one should? Who? Where? And against which team?
- Use this week's vocabulary: What are the official curtain-raisers in other leagues and countries?
- Which Premier League teams will be difficult to take on this season?
- Rich predicted the Premier League top four. What are your predictions?
Let's get the conversation started and create a community!
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Komentar
21/01/2022
points
What do you think
1. They help to build sympathy and friendship connections between teams or countries.
2. I remember friendly matches between National teams. I wish my two teams Spurs and BJK could make a friendly match in Antalya a tourist attraction city in my country.
3.”Super Cup” is an official curtain-raiser in my country.
Phrases
• Company performance getting worse. Essential reforms are needed. At one point, cutting small costs should be ignored.
• According the public opinion this runners-up in fact a winner because never lied during his election campaign.
21/01/2022 18:08
Tottenham Hotspur
5527
What do you think
1. They help to build sympathy and friendship connections between teams or countries.
2. I remember friendly matches between National teams. I wish my two teams Spurs and BJK could make a friendly match in Antalya a tourist attraction city in my country.
3.”Super Cup” is an official curtain-raiser in my country.
Phrases
• Company performance getting worse. Essential reforms are needed. At one point, cutting small costs should be ignored.
• According the public opinion this runners-up in fact a winner because never lied during his election campaign.
21/01/2022
points
Hi! Jack,
I suggest, "stoppage time" another description of "injury time" for football phrase.
Stay fit and healthy.Bye.
21/01/2022 13:05
Tottenham Hotspur
5527
Hi! Jack,
I suggest, "stoppage time" another description of "injury time" for football phrase.
Stay fit and healthy.Bye.
06/08/2019
points
1. I think these friendly matches at the beginning of the season are not to be taken seriously since most players are still resting or not in their best fit. It can, however, bring famous people to several unusual places: more supporters, more money.
2. Unfortunately not. A long time since a European team came to Brazil.
3. In Brazil, we don't have curtain-raisers. On the other hand, we have the so-called "Estaduais" championships, where only teams from the same state can play during about 3 or 4 months. Recall that we have 27 states here. It's a good opportunity for teams from smaller towns to host games against our biggest teams.
4. Definitely, it will be extremely hard to take on Liverpool and City this season.
5. I completely agree with Rich. In my opinion, Chelsea is an incognito without Eden Hazard.
06/08/2019 22:51
Tottenham Hotspur
615
1. I think these friendly matches at the beginning of the season are not to be taken seriously since most players are still resting or not in their best fit. It can, however, bring famous people to several unusual places: more supporters, more money.
2. Unfortunately not. A long time since a European team came to Brazil.
3. In Brazil, we don't have curtain-raisers. On the other hand, we have the so-called "Estaduais" championships, where only teams from the same state can play during about 3 or 4 months. Recall that we have 27 states here. It's a good opportunity for teams from smaller towns to host games against our biggest teams.
4. Definitely, it will be extremely hard to take on Liverpool and City this season.
5. I completely agree with Rich. In my opinion, Chelsea is an incognito without Eden Hazard.
05/08/2019
points
A very good result it's nice
05/08/2019 19:09
Manchester City
1734
A very good result it's nice
04/08/2019
points
1. Friendlies are those non official matches that help connecting people or improving ideas. It outstanding how can a match between Palestine and Israel improve people mind all over the world.
2. I don't remember any PL team playing in Algeria. City in the 5 juillet stadium on january against the Algerian team would be a dream for lots of young fans.
3. Much European Leagues do the same as UK playing a super cup as curtain-raiser. In my country the super cup is usually played during the end of the year.
4. City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham might be hard to take on this season.
04/08/2019 19:30
Manchester City
3988
1. Friendlies are those non official matches that help connecting people or improving ideas. It outstanding how can a match between Palestine and Israel improve people mind all over the world.
2. I don't remember any PL team playing in Algeria. City in the 5 juillet stadium on january against the Algerian team would be a dream for lots of young fans.
3. Much European Leagues do the same as UK playing a super cup as curtain-raiser. In my country the super cup is usually played during the end of the year.
4. City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham might be hard to take on this season.
04/08/2019
points
It's very fanny
04/08/2019 12:01
Manchester City
1734
It's very fanny
03/08/2019
points
Hello everyone.
1. I think that friendly matches more than improving fitness. It shows us new players in each team, the tactic of each coach,..
2. The true is Premier League teams never ever played a friendly in Viet Nam. I hope someday one of the six giant teams can come and played with my national team.
3. In Germany this week, there are another curtain-raisers in August 4th between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in the DFL-Supercup . In Viet Nam, we can't see this match so if anyone can see this match, please write the final result in this page for me know. Thanks a lot!
4. Well, I still think Liverpool will be difficult to take on this season.
5. I have the same predictions like Rich.
Hope all of you the best.
03/08/2019 09:51
Manchester City
822
Hello everyone.
1. I think that friendly matches more than improving fitness. It shows us new players in each team, the tactic of each coach,..
2. The true is Premier League teams never ever played a friendly in Viet Nam. I hope someday one of the six giant teams can come and played with my national team.
3. In Germany this week, there are another curtain-raisers in August 4th between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in the DFL-Supercup . In Viet Nam, we can't see this match so if anyone can see this match, please write the final result in this page for me know. Thanks a lot!
4. Well, I still think Liverpool will be difficult to take on this season.
5. I have the same predictions like Rich.
Hope all of you the best.
01/08/2019
points
Hello to Premier skills English team! thanks you for this very interesting topic.
1. For me, friendly matches are more than just about improving fitness : They allow new players to become familiar with the team, allow Managers to try several tactical games and judge the player's performance
2. Arsenal came yesterday in France to play a friendly match against Angers, 1st league team. This match celebrated the hendredth anniversary of Angers club. Any team won this match which ended on 1-1 score.
3. In France, the "Trophée des Champions" is the curtain-raiser before the 1st league season starts. this match is usually played abroad, and this year, Rennes is going to take on Paris Saint Germain in China.
4. I think Liverpool will be the most difficult team to take on. Indeed, they hasn't finished top for 24 years. As they won Champions League last year, i thing win Premier League trophee will be the priority for the Manager Jurgen Klopp.
5. My predictions for the Premier League top four are : Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal
Have a nice day
Renaud from France
01/08/2019 10:33
Arsenal
7
Hello to Premier skills English team! thanks you for this very interesting topic.
1. For me, friendly matches are more than just about improving fitness : They allow new players to become familiar with the team, allow Managers to try several tactical games and judge the player's performance
2. Arsenal came yesterday in France to play a friendly match against Angers, 1st league team. This match celebrated the hendredth anniversary of Angers club. Any team won this match which ended on 1-1 score.
3. In France, the "Trophée des Champions" is the curtain-raiser before the 1st league season starts. this match is usually played abroad, and this year, Rennes is going to take on Paris Saint Germain in China.
4. I think Liverpool will be the most difficult team to take on. Indeed, they hasn't finished top for 24 years. As they won Champions League last year, i thing win Premier League trophee will be the priority for the Manager Jurgen Klopp.
5. My predictions for the Premier League top four are : Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal
Have a nice day
Renaud from France