Young Player's Skilful Turn Wows Fans in Japanese Football Match
Listen to the story
Nakai Takuhiro, known by the nickname Pipi, is a young Japanese footballer who once played for Real Madrid in Spain.
He now plays for FC Imabari, a team in Japan's J2 League.
FC Imabari recently played against Sagan Tosu and won the match 1-0.
It was the team's first win of the season, and it helped them move out of last place in the league table.
During the game, Pipi performed an impressive turn without touching the ball with his foot.
Many people said the move reminded them of Zidane, a very famous former French football player known for his elegant style.
Fans quickly shared comments about the moment on social media.
One fan wrote that Pipi had "turned the situation around," while another said the move "made them excited."
People praised Pipi's individual skill, which helped speed up FC Imabari's attack during the match.
The win was important for the team, since it had not won a single game earlier in the season.
Local news outlets, including Nankai Broadcasting, reported on both the match result and Pipi's stand-out play.
Tickets for the next home match were also announced to be available on the day of the game.
Vocabulary8 words
- Nakai Takuhiro
- a young football player also known as Pipi
- Real Madrid
- a very famous and successful football club in Spain
- FC Imabari
- a Japanese football club playing in the J2 League
- J2 League
- the second-highest level of professional football in Japan
- season
- the period of time when a sport's matches take place
- turn
- a fast change of direction with the ball in football
- Zidane
- a famous retired French football player known for his skill
- individual skill
- a player's personal ability to control and move the ball well
Quiz
Answer key
1. He used to play there 2. It was their first win of the season 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
_____ , known by the nickname Pipi, is a young Japanese footballer who once played for Real Madrid in Spain.
He now plays for _____ , a team in Japan's J2 League.
FC Imabari recently played against Sagan Tosu and won the match _____ .
It was the team's first win of the _____ , and it helped them move out of last place.
During the game, Pipi performed an impressive _____ without touching the ball with his foot.
Many people said the move reminded them of _____ , a very famous former French football player.
One fan wrote that Pipi had "turned the situation around," while another said the move "made them _____ ."
People praised Pipi's _____ , which helped speed up FC Imabari's attack.
The win was important for the team, since it had not won a single game earlier in the season.
Local news outlets reported on both the match result and Pipi's stand-out play.