2014-07-01

【Aiden in English】

        The USA soccer team has never made it to the World Cup in its history. And this year, a miracle happened in Brazil. The USA passed the qualification rounds and entered the Round of 16 unexpectedly.

        As lucky as the USA gets, their fortune couldn't last forever. This knockout game against Belgium proved that the USA wasn't able to compete at this level.

        The game started off fine. In fact, at one point, the USA was shooting by the minute. It was the ending that brought downfall. The first goal was scored at the 91 minutes when the Belgian player on the right intended to pass to a player in the center. However, it seemed too far ahead, and entered the goal with no anticipation. The second goal on Belgians' behalf was abruptly. A nice pass to the center again, immediately followed by a shot to the upper right corner of the goal. The kick was smooth and flawless.

        When a game of importance begins, it's crucial to start strong, but just as critical to finish stably.

【紅霞譯文】

        美國足球隊從未打入過世界世界盃賽，而今年卻在巴西綠茵場上締造出千古不滅的奇蹟，不僅順利通過了資格賽，而且還意外躋身十六強。

        憑藉運氣，美國隊勢如破竹，但好景不長，其實力因不敵比利時強悍進攻而敗下陣來，隨着淘汰賽落下帷幕，美國隊無緣進軍世界盃八強。

        本次比賽開場不錯。實際上，有一陣子美國隊鬥志昂揚，每分鐘都在發起進攻猛烈射門，僅在終場前才被迫罷休。第一個進球發生在第91分鐘，比利時前衛試圖從右邊大腳遠射傳球給中鋒，沒想到歪打正着，球竟然直接入網得分。第二個球純屬天意，比利時隊以迅雷不及掩耳之勢將球傳中，而球從球門右上角飛了進去，乾脆利落，無可挑剔。

        比賽的重要性不僅在於開場時全力以赴，而且還要穩紮穩打，堅持到底才是勝利。