The 1970 World Cup
Sample chapter & audio of ‘The Big Match here: http://tinyurl.com/353dwmz
The 1970 World Cup
http://younglearners.eslreading.org/football/home.html
The qualifying campaign for the 1970 World Cup does not go well. A war breaks out between two competing nations. There are riots in the host country’s capital, Mexico City. And there's a strange incident involving the England captain, Bobby Moore. El Salvador and Honduras are neighbours in Central America. In June 1969 they play each other to qualify for the 1970 World Cup. Honduras win the first game at home 1-0, but a week later El Salvador win the return match 3-0. At this time, goal difference is not counted so the two teams are level. They now have to play a replay in Mexico City. Two weeks later there is a replay a very tense atmosphere. The score is 2-2 at the end on normal time. In extra-time El Salvador scored a dramatic winning goal. Riots followed the game and almost immediately a war started between the two countries. It only lasts a 100 hours but around three thousand people are killed. Stolen Bracelet Another bizarre incident in the lead up to the tournament begins when England captain, Bobby Moore walks into a jewellers in Bogota, Colombia. He is with a team mate, and is looking for a present for his wife but is about to leave when the shop assistant called hotel security. ‘You have stolen a diamond necklace,’ she says. The Colombian police arrive. They search but do not find the necklace. Moore is released. Then a man calls the police. ‘I saw Bobby Moore put the necklace into his pocket,’ he says. Moore is arrested at his team hotel in Bogota. The police detain Moore in Bogota for three days until
the British Consulate finally secures his release. Almost immediately the England team fly out of Colombia. What really happened? It is still not clear but probably it was probably an attempt by a criminal gang to blackmail Bobby Moore. The England team are not popular with local Mexicans. They bring their own food from the UK but this is illegal. The Mexicans burn it at the airport. There are more problems for England at their hotel. On the nights before matches, Mexican and Brazilian supporters drive their cars around the hotel. Brazil As usual, Brazil also have problems before the tournament. Centre forward, Tostao, has not played for nearly a year because of serious eye injury. There are also arguments in the dressing room. A few days before the first match their manager resigns, claiming that politicians are trying to pick the team. Despite these difficulties, Brazil quickly show that they have a great team. In the first game, they beat Czechoslovakia 4-1, with two goals by Jairzinho, one by Pelé, and one by Rivelino. Brazil's then beat England, 1-0, in a wonderful match, won by a goal by Jairzinho. Many expect the two teams to meet again in the Final. See brief highlight here:
http://younglearners.eslreading.org/football/home.html