Postecoglou Leaves Out Ronaldo in Al-Nassr's Line-up Change
Listen to the story
Al-Nassr coach Ange Postecoglou surprised fans with his line-up choice for a match against Pakhtakor in the AFC Champions League Elite.
The biggest surprise was the exclusion of star player Cristiano Ronaldo from the starting team.
Postecoglou, who became Al-Nassr's coach recently, decided to make two changes for the trip to Pakhtakor.
This game was an important away fixture in Asia's top club football competition.
Fans and journalists had been waiting to see how Postecoglou would set up the team without Ronaldo, one of the most famous footballers in the world.
Many people wanted information about how to watch the match on TV or through live streaming, which means watching a video online as the event happens.
Al-Nassr is a Saudi Arabian club and has become well known since Ronaldo joined the team.
Postecoglou is an Australian coach who has managed teams in different countries before leading Al-Nassr.
The decision to leave out such a famous player for this match attracted a lot of attention from football fans around the world.
People will continue to watch closely how Postecoglou manages the team in future matches, especially when big decisions like this one are made.
Vocabulary6 words
- line-up
- the list of players chosen to start a game
- exclusion
- when someone is left out of a team or group
- competition
- an organised sports event where teams try to win
- live streaming
- watching video online while something is happening
- fixture
- a sports match planned for a certain day
- coach
- the person who trains and leads a sports team
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Quiz
Answer key
1. Ronaldo was left out of the starting team 2. Two 3. The AFC Champions League Elite
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Al-Nassr coach Ange Postecoglou surprised fans with his _____ choice for a match against Pakhtakor.
The biggest surprise was the _____ of star player Cristiano Ronaldo from the starting team.
Postecoglou decided to make _____ changes for the trip to Pakhtakor.
This game was an important away _____ in Asia's top club football competition.
Many people wanted information about how to watch the match on TV or through _____.
Al-Nassr is a Saudi Arabian club and has become well known since _____ joined the team.
Postecoglou is an _____ coach who has managed teams in different countries.
The decision to leave out such a famous player attracted a lot of _____ from fans.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think coaches sometimes leave out star players from the starting line-up?
- How important do you think one player can be to a team's success?
- Would you want to watch this match live? Why or why not?
- What qualities make a good football coach, in your opinion?
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