World Cup Fever Hits Asia

世足熱蔓延全亞

When France and Senegal kick off on May 31 in the opening game of the 2002 soccer World Cup Finals, they will be making history. For the first time, the only international sporting event to rival the Olympic Games in popularity will be taking place in Asia. In another first, two countries, rather than one, will play host to the tournament.?

5月31日當法國和塞內(nèi)加爾在2002年世界杯足球賽的開幕賽開球時，他們將創(chuàng)造歷史。第一次，這項唯一能與奧運會的受歡迎程度相匹敵的國際運動賽事在亞洲舉辦。另一個第一，則是由兩個國家而不是一個國家擔任比賽的主辦人。

Many people were skeptical about allowing Japan and South Korea to jointly stage soccer’s biggest tournament. After all, historically, the two nations have been enemies. Nevertheless, both of them have successfully hosted the Olympics in the past, and both are eager to take to the world stage once again.

許多人對于讓日本和南韓聯(lián)合舉辦足球界最盛大的賽事持懷疑的態(tài)度。畢竟在歷史上，兩個國家曾經(jīng)是敵人。無論如何，他們過去都曾成功地舉辦了奧運會，兩個國家都希望能再度成為世界的舞臺。

With a huge amount of prestige at stake, the Japanese and Korean authorities have been working hard, and spending big, to make sure World Cup 2002 is a success. If past evidence is anything to go by, fans of the “beautiful game” around the world are not likely to be disappointed.

用極高的聲望做賭注，日本和韓國的有關(guān)當局一直在努力工作，并花了大筆錢財來確保2002年世界杯足球賽的成功。如果過去成功的例子可以依循，世界各地“漂亮球賽”的球迷們就不太可能會失望。

It is impossible to say when soccer was first played. People have been kicking objects around for fun since time immemorial. The modern version of the game, however, clearly began in 1863, in England. That was when the London Football Association published the first set of soccer rules.? Besides setting the rules, the association gave the game its formal name: association football. The popular term “soccer” is thought to be derived from “association.”?

很難說人們第一次玩足球始于何時。自古以來人們?yōu)榱巳肪蛯⑸磉叺臇|西踢來踢去。然而球賽的現(xiàn)代版本確實是在1863年始于英國。當時正是倫敦足球協(xié)會出版了第一套足球規(guī)則。除了制定規(guī)則，這個協(xié)會還為球賽取了一個正式的名稱：英式足球。眾人皆知的名稱“足球”被認為是由“協(xié)會”這個詞衍生而來。

England may have set the rules, but many people argue that the game’s spiritual home is Brazil. The South American country is home to the world’s most successful and admired national team. Famous for their free-flowing, elegant style, often referred to as “samba soccer,” the Brazilians have carried home the World Cup trophy no fewer than four times. Despite some poor results recently, it would be foolish to dismiss Brazil’s chances in World Cup 2002.?

英國人也許制定了足球的規(guī)則，但許多人認為足球靈魂的故鄉(xiāng)是巴西。這個南美洲國家是全世界最成功、最為人欣賞的球隊的家鄉(xiāng)。巴西人以自由、文雅的踢球風格聞名，常被認為是“桑巴足球”，他們抱回世界杯的獎杯足足有四次。盡管近年來戰(zhàn)績有些不太好，但小看巴西隊在2002年世界杯足球賽的獲勝機會是愚蠢的。

A famous Scottish coach, when asked if he really thought soccer was a matter of life and death, replied, “no, it’s more important than that.” ?He was joking, of course, but there is no denying the passion with which soccer fans all around the world follow their favorite teams.?

當一位著名的蘇格蘭教練被問到他是否真的認為足球是生死攸關(guān)的事，他回答：“不，它比生死重要?！碑斎凰窃陂_玩笑，但是世界各地的球迷追隨他們喜愛球隊的熱情是無可否認的。

For many, losing a big match is a fate worse than death. Brazil’s defeat on home soil in the 1950 World Cup final, for instance, was described as a national tragedy. When the Italian team returned home after losing a game to North Korea in 1966, they were pelted with tomatoes by disappointed fans.?

對許多人來說，輸?shù)粢粓鲋卮蟮谋荣愂潜人劳鲞€要悲慘的命運。舉例來說，巴西在1950年世界杯足球賽中主場的失敗，被形容為國家的慘劇。當1966年意大利隊輸?shù)魧Τr的球賽回國后，被失望的球迷們用西紅柿扔擲。

At World Cup 2002, Asian soccer fans are likely to be every bit as enthusiastic as their European and South American counterparts. Judging from the overwhelming ticket sales in Japan and South Korea, organizers are confident that the tournament will be one of the best-attended World Cups in history.?

在2002年世界杯足球賽中，亞洲的球迷很可能和他們歐洲和南美的同道中人一樣熱情。從日本和韓國瘋狂的入場券銷售來判斷，主辦單位有信心這屆比賽將成為歷史上票房最好的世足賽之一。