賽事前瞻：比利時(shí)VS美國(guó)
What the local media say
當(dāng)?shù)孛襟w的聲音
As well as having the largest contingent of visiting fans in Brazil, soccer fever is sweeping the States. “Business came to a halt at many companies nationwide as employees gathered in break rooms and huddled around television sets,” reported a mildly astonished Washington Post. “Many others left work early for the day, settling into bar stools or living-room couches. In fact, one day earlier Klinsmann encouraged soccer fans to skip work, sending an excuse note via Twitter for fans to deliver to their bosses.”
在巴西，美國(guó)擁有最多的現(xiàn)場(chǎng)觀戰(zhàn)球迷；國(guó)內(nèi)，足球狂潮也是席卷各地。美國(guó)《華盛頓郵報(bào)》：“員工都在休息室里、電視機(jī)前扎堆，國(guó)內(nèi)很多公司因此暫停了營(yíng)業(yè)。很多人早早下班，或是貓?jiān)诰瓢衫锘蚴歉C在沙發(fā)上。比賽還沒(méi)開(kāi)始，美國(guó)隊(duì)主帥克林斯曼就在推特上吆喝，號(hào)召大家翹班請(qǐng)假看比賽。”
The Belgians, meanwhile, seem quietly optimistic. “While Belgium failed to impress and to dominate their opponents so far, they won yet again,” says Dere Dactie in Belgium. “The squad is emerging as a team that’s hard to manoeuvre. Belgium haven’t let a goal in, bar a penalty, and can count on a world-class goalkeeper. In attack, a touch of genius can be enough to decide the match.”
比利時(shí)人也是信心滿(mǎn)滿(mǎn)，不過(guò)表現(xiàn)卻相對(duì)平靜。比利時(shí)《Dere Dactie》報(bào)：“截至目前，比利時(shí)表現(xiàn)不怎么出彩，進(jìn)的球也不多，但仍舊是節(jié)節(jié)勝利。對(duì)對(duì)手來(lái)說(shuō)，要想控制比利時(shí)越來(lái)越難了。防守上，我們有一流的門(mén)將，擋得住球門(mén)，撲得了點(diǎn)球。進(jìn)攻上，天才球員靈光一閃，足以制勝。”
Key battle: Axel Witsel vs Michael Bradley
關(guān)鍵對(duì)位：維特塞爾VS布拉德利
There won’t be room to swing a cat in midfield during this fixture, and passing accuracy will be paramount. Bradley was USA’s top pass-maker in the clash with Germany – rolling 15 balls to central partner Beckerman, and getting 13 back from his henchman. Axel Witsel, meanwhile, was Belgium’s key possession-retainer against Russia – completing all 35 efforts he attempted – and was also effective in the opening fixture against Algeria. Rested for the South Korea match, expect the Zenit man back to face the Americans.
中場(chǎng)空間狹小，傳球的精準(zhǔn)可謂至關(guān)重要。在和德國(guó)隊(duì)的比賽中，布拉德利是全隊(duì)傳球次數(shù)最多的球員。比利時(shí)對(duì)壘俄羅斯，維特塞爾的控球起到了關(guān)鍵作用。此前，維特塞爾錯(cuò)過(guò)了對(duì)韓國(guó)的比賽。休息了一場(chǎng)之后，他將在本場(chǎng)復(fù)出。
Fact and figures
基本數(shù)據(jù)一覽
Belgium and USA have met just once before in the World Cup, in what was for both their first World Cup game in 1930. The US ran out 3-0 winners in Montevideo.
Only Iran (30%) had a lower average possession figure in the group stage than Jurgen Klinsmann's side (39%).
The last 6 Belgian goals at World Cups have come in the closing 20 minutes of games.
比利時(shí)和美國(guó)只在1930年的世界杯相遇過(guò)一次，兩隊(duì)均是第一次征戰(zhàn)世界杯，最終以美國(guó)3比0大勝告終。就平均控球率來(lái)說(shuō)，美國(guó)排名倒數(shù)第二（39%），僅好于伊朗（30%）。比利時(shí)在世界杯上最近的6個(gè)球都是在最后20分鐘內(nèi)打進(jìn)的。
FourFourTwo prediction
比分預(yù)測(cè)
A tight draw: young stopper Courtois to prove his worth in a penalty shoot out and send Belgium through.
平局：門(mén)將庫(kù)爾圖瓦在點(diǎn)球決勝中大顯身手，護(hù)送比利時(shí)順利晉級(jí)。
（譯者 ADDID 編輯 齊磊）
