Fifa Approves Goalline Technology for 2014 World Cup

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. give the nod to [giv thuh nod too] (idiom) – to approve of someone or something.

Example: The government will give the nod to a program that promotes sports and exercise among youth.

2. seal the deal [seel thuh deel] (v. phrase) – to finalize an agreement

Example: The two companies sealed the deal after agreeing on the terms of the partnership.

3. credible [KRED-uh-buhl] (adj.) – having qualities or abilities that gain other people’s confidence and trust

Example: The athlete established a credible name because he helped his team win the championship game.

4. high-profile [hahy-PROH-fahyl] (adj.) – attracting much attention and interest from the public

Example: Media reporters and paparazzi are always following the high-profile actress.

5. enthusiast [en-THOO-zee-ast] (n.) – someone who has great interest and involvement in a particular activity

Example: He is a football enthusiast who always watches his favorite team’s games.

Article 
Read the text below.

FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) gave the nod to use goal-line technology” (GLT) for the 2014 World Cup to be held in Brazil.  FIFA made the decision after the technology’s successful use at the Club World Cup in Japan last December 2012.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has expressed his commitment to use goal-line technology in future football competitions. The system is designed to help referees and match officials in checking if a ball really crossed a goal line.

Currently, only two goal-line systems have earned licenses from FIFA–Hawk-Eye and GoalRef. Other GLT providers are still in the process of satisfying FIFA’s technical tests. FIFA is set to seal the deal with a GLT provider in April.

Among the GLT providers, Hawk-Eye has already built a credible reputation in professional cricket and international tennis. Hawk-Eye makes use of several high-speed cameras that are installed in both ends of the stadium. GoalRef, on the other hand, uses sensors and magnetic fields to detect if the ball has crossed the line or not.

In World Cup history, there have been several high-profile cases of sports officials not awarding a goal to a team.  One case happened during the 2010 World Cup match between England and Germany wherein England’s Frank Lampard shot a good goal, but the goal was not accepted by referees.

With the use of goal-line technology, many football athletes and enthusiasts hope that similar mistakes will not happen in the future.

Viewpoint Discussion 
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         Do you think using goal-line technology is needed in sports? Why or why not?

·         In what other ways do you think technology helps people in sports?

Discussion B

·         Do you think humans depend too much on technology? Please explain your answer.

·         How would you say technology has helped you in your daily life?

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