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Duran and Osmand Boost Celtic's Attack

Three young men in matching jerseys pointing at camera
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Listen to the story

Celtic is a football team. Martin O'Neill is the manager of Celtic. A manager picks the players for the team.

O'Neill has said he is not sure about his best team. He does not know which players to choose.

Two players, Duran and Osmand, played well for Celtic. They helped the team play better.

Camilo Duran played in the middle of the pitch. The middle of the pitch is an important place in football.

Now it looks clear that Duran is the best player for that position. A position is a player's job on the pitch.

This is good news for Duran. But it is not good news for another player called Hogh.

If Duran plays in the middle, Hogh may not play. The manager can only choose eleven players for a match.

A match is a football game between two teams. The manager must choose carefully.

Fans want to know who will play next. Football fans like to talk about team selection.

Selection means choosing players for the team. This is one of the manager's most important jobs.

O'Neill must now decide what to do about Hogh. This is a difficult decision for him.

A decision means choosing what to do. Every football manager must make many decisions.

Vocabulary7 words

team
a group of people who play a sport together
manager
the person who chooses players and leads a sports team
middle
the center part of something
position
a player's place or job on the field
match
a game between two teams
selection
choosing people for something, like a team
decision
a choice someone makes

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Quiz

1. What is Martin O'Neill's job?
2. Who looks like the best player for the middle of the pitch?
3. True or False: O'Neill said he was sure about his best team.

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Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

Celtic is a football _____. Martin O'Neill is the _____ of Celtic.

O'Neill has said he is not sure about his best team.

Two players, Duran and Osmand, played well for Celtic.

Camilo Duran played in the _____ of the pitch.

Now it looks clear that Duran is the best player for that _____.

This is good news for Duran. But it is not good news for another player called Hogh.

If Duran plays in the middle, Hogh may not play.

Football fans like to talk about team _____.

O'Neill must now decide what to do about Hogh. This is a difficult _____ for him.

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