Maeda Starts, Kamada Plays Full Match in Premier League
Two Japanese footballers, Maeda Daizen and Kamada Daichi, both appeared in Premier League matches during the same weekend of fixtures.
Maeda made his home debut for his new club, starting the game from the beginning. A debut is a player's first appearance for a team.
During the match, Maeda showed his usual style of play, which pleased the home supporters. Fans at the stadium gave him a big round of applause for his performance.
The match ended in a win for Maeda's team, giving him a winning start to his time at his home ground.
Meanwhile, Kamada Daichi played a full ninety minutes for Crystal Palace in their match against Everton, which took place in Liverpool.
Kamada is a midfielder who has become a regular player for Crystal Palace since joining the club. A midfielder is a player who plays in the middle area of the football pitch.
Both Maeda and Kamada are part of a growing number of Japanese players competing in England's top football division. A division is a level or group within a sports league.
Their performances are closely followed by fans back in Japan, where Premier League football has become increasingly popular in recent years.
Details of the exact scorelines and further match events were not fully confirmed in the original report, but both players' involvement was clearly noted.
The two matches formed part of a busy round of Premier League fixtures, in which several other players from various countries also took part.
Vocabulary8 words
- debut
- a player's first appearance for a team
- stadium
- a big place where people watch sports
- winning start
- beginning something with a win
- Everton
- an English football club
- midfielder
- a player who plays in the middle of the field
- division
- a level or group in a sports league
- fans
- people who support a team or player
- fixtures
- planned sports matches
Quiz
Answer key
1. He started the match and his team won 2. Everton 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Two Japanese footballers, Maeda Daizen and Kamada Daichi, both appeared in _____ matches during the same weekend of fixtures.
Maeda made his home _____ for his new club, starting the game from the beginning.
During the match, Maeda showed his usual style of play, which pleased the home _____.
Fans at the stadium gave him a big round of _____ for his performance.
The match ended in a win for Maeda's team, giving him a _____ to his time at his home ground.
Meanwhile, Kamada Daichi played a full ninety minutes for Crystal Palace in their match against _____, which took place in Liverpool.
Kamada is a _____ who has become a regular player for Crystal Palace since joining the club.
Both Maeda and Kamada are part of a growing number of Japanese players competing in England's top football _____.
Their performances are closely followed by fans back in _____, where Premier League football has become increasingly popular.
The two matches formed part of a busy round of Premier League _____.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think Premier League football is popular among fans in Japan?
- How might it feel for a player to make their home debut in a new league?
- What qualities do you think make a good midfielder in football?
- Do you follow any players from your own country who play abroad? Why or why not?