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Angkasa is Five United's new coach.

A New Coach

A New Coach

In this issue, Iwan learns that women can be better than men at football coaching. 
 

Ipul has an announcement. Next week, he will be stepping down as coach. (All the team look very sad.)  “My replacement is very good and I’ve arranged for you all to meet the new coach later this week.”  But coach we’ll miss you! etc. As Santi and Iwan walk off: “Sad about Ipul leaving.” “Yeah, but he said the new coach will be great.” “What do you think he will be like?” “I’ve no idea, but we’ll meet him next week.”

 

The teams meets the new coach. It surprises the team that the new coach is a woman.

Understanding

At the beginning of the story, the whole team are surprised that their new coach is a woman. Is it difficult for women to have a career in football? Have a look at the list of jobs in in this activity. Can women do these jobs in football? What problems might women have in these jobs?

Activity 1: Have a look at the list of jobs in football in the activity. In which ones do you think women face the most difficulties? Put them in order, from the job with most difficulties for women to the job with the fewest difficulties. There are no right or wrong answers to this activity.
Why are there so few women in football?

The team are in the dressing room and Novi is giving her first teamtalk.  Novi: “Rini you attack down the left and try to pin back the opposition full-back”  (As Novi speaks Iwan is whispering to Budhi)  Iwan: “What a load of rubbish! Let’s play our own game.”  (As the players walk onto the pitch, Iwan is whispering in the other player’s ears to play their own game and not to listen to Novi.)

 

The match starts. The team are playing very well and Iwan scores a goal. Iwan thinks: ‘Why should I listen to her?’  (He celebrates by running to the bench and blowing a kiss at Novi.) (Novi looks furious on the touchline.)  Before half-time the other team score four goals.  Half-time team talk.  Novi: “What’s going on? Why are you not following any of my instructions?”  (The team all look at Iwan.) Novi: “Iwan! You’re not playing the second half. The rest of you, if you don’t listen, you won’t play for the team again!”  Second half  (The team play better, but they still lose 4-3.)  Iwan is sat at the side of the pitch looking glum.

 

The next day. The team are sat in a cafe talking about yesterday’s match. Iwan: “No way! I’m not going to play for a woman. She doesn’t know anything!” Santi: “I think we should give her a chance.” Iwan: “You would say that. You’re a ...girl” Adhi: “Santi’s right. We played much better in the second half.” Budhi: “Her tactics were great. If we’d listened at the beginning we would have won that match.”

Grammar - 'Going to' for future intentions and things that we think will happen

Coach Ipul is leaving and a new coach arrives to help the team. When he tells the team the news, he uses 'going to' to talk about future plans. We use be + going to + verb to talk about future plans and intentions:

"The new coach is going to come and watch us train on Friday."  

We also use be + going to + verb to talk about something that we think is likely to happen or there is a strong possibility that will happen. Iwan is not happy with the new coach and doesn't think that Novi will be a success. To say this, he uses going to:

"This is going to be a disaster."

Have a look at the comic again and see if you can see any more examples of going to. When you have finished have a look at the activity below to check your understanding. If you want to know more, check out the Grammar Pages on our Learn English website.

Activity 2: You can use 'going to' to talk about a future plan or intention, or to talk about something that is likely to happen. In this activity, put the sentences in the correct group.
Can you put the meaning in the correct category?

Ipul walks into the cafe. The team are happy to see him. Ipul: “How’s everything going with the team?” Rini: “It’s great coach, she really knows her stuff.” Adhi: “She has lots of new ideas.” Iwan: “Come on people are you joking? She doesn’t know anything!”  (Iwan walks to the bar. Ipul walks after him and puts his arm round his shoulder.)  Ipul: “Novi has much more experience than me.” Iwan: “They won the league last season!” Ipul: “Why don’t you give her a chance?” (Iwan shrugs his shoulders.)

 

The following week at training.   (Images of Iwan working hard at training.)  Novi: “Together everybody.”  (Santi and Adhi are chatting and don’t hear the coach.)  Iwan: “Come on you two. Coach is calling!”  Novi: Thanks Iwan (surprised)  Iwan: “Sorry, about last week coach. I was an idiot!”  Novi: “Don’t worry about it. Let’s get on with the teamtalk.” (Coach opens door for Iwan. Coach is obviously in charge.)

 

The following match. Iwan is back in the team wearing the captain’s armband.  Novi: “Get back to defend Iwan!” (picture of Iwan running back.) Novi: “Give it to Rini. Give it.” (Image of Iwan passing to Rini who scores)  (Closing image of Iwan giving coach a high 5 when celebrating a goal.)

Vocabulary

There were quite a few difficult words and phrases in this issue of the comic. For example:

"Why don't you give her a chance?"

"Novi has lots more experience than I have."

Have a go at the activity below and see if any of the words or expressions are new for you.

Activity 3: There were some difficult phrases and words in this issue of 'Five United'. How much did you understand?
Can you put the words from the comic in the right place?

Quiz

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What do you think?

Why were the team surprised that their new coach was a woman?
Why was Iwan so angry?
Could we see a woman as a Premier League manager or referee in the future? Why/why not?
The language focus was 'going to'. Can you tell us something that you are going to do in the next few months?
 
Tell us your answers in the comments section below.

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Comments

nikosonris
01/02/2016
UA
2453
points

I have no doubt about that :) COYG!


nikosonris
01/02/2016 12:28
Ukraine
Arsenal
2453

I have no doubt about that :) COYG!

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
31/01/2016
ME
3557
points

Quite possible, as a referee. Also as a manager, not so soon though..


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
31/01/2016 15:28
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

Quite possible, as a referee. Also as a manager, not so soon though..

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
31/01/2016
ME
3557
points

Iwan was angry for the reason he couldn't accept the fact that a woman can be as good as man in this sport. He's hardheaded on the first match but soon he realises that she can show them some new tactics.


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
31/01/2016 15:27
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

Iwan was angry for the reason he couldn't accept the fact that a woman can be as good as man in this sport. He's hardheaded on the first match but soon he realises that she can show them some new tactics.

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
31/01/2016
ME
3557
points

They were surprised to see a woman as a coach. They expected some star player who retired. Or an older guy from the neighbourhood.


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
31/01/2016 15:23
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

They were surprised to see a woman as a coach. They expected some star player who retired. Or an older guy from the neighbourhood.

MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
05/02/2016
RW
2320
points

Their thinking was false,women can do it better too


MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
05/02/2016 06:52
Rwanda
Arsenal
2320

Their thinking was false,women can do it better too

Islomjon
31/01/2016
UZ
8
points

Good program to learn english with fun :-)


Islomjon
31/01/2016 10:27
Uzbekistan
Manchester United
8

Good program to learn english with fun :-)

Rich's picture
Rich
31/01/2016
ES
594
points

Thanks Islomjon and welcome to Premier Skills English!

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team


Rich's picture
Rich
31/01/2016 20:00
Spain
Liverpool
594

Thanks Islomjon and welcome to Premier Skills English!

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team

Rafayel's picture
Rafayel
30/01/2016
AM
516
points

The team didn't anticipate that their new coach was to be a woman. I guess they have never even heard that a female can be a coach let alone teach them how to play.
Iwan , as i guess , was the most arogant guy in the team. He could not bare the fact that he was going to act as a woman told him to.
I think that in the 21st century everything is possible. nowadays women are on top positions in governments, they are in everywhere in politics, in media, in business, in army, in economy, everywhere and they did prove that they can do even much better than men do. So I will not be surprised at all to see women coaches or managers or referees in Premier League. As far as they do their job well, nothing to worry.
In the next few months I am going to improve my English skills and going to prepare for a very serious step in my life. I am going to take an exam and go to the UK to work. Wish me good luck. :)


Rafayel's picture
Rafayel
30/01/2016 08:58
Armenia
Arsenal
516

The team didn't anticipate that their new coach was to be a woman. I guess they have never even heard that a female can be a coach let alone teach them how to play.
Iwan , as i guess , was the most arogant guy in the team. He could not bare the fact that he was going to act as a woman told him to.
I think that in the 21st century everything is possible. nowadays women are on top positions in governments, they are in everywhere in politics, in media, in business, in army, in economy, everywhere and they did prove that they can do even much better than men do. So I will not be surprised at all to see women coaches or managers or referees in Premier League. As far as they do their job well, nothing to worry.
In the next few months I am going to improve my English skills and going to prepare for a very serious step in my life. I am going to take an exam and go to the UK to work. Wish me good luck. :)

MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
05/02/2016
RW
2320
points

Ooohh good luck dear!


MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
05/02/2016 06:47
Rwanda
Arsenal
2320

Ooohh good luck dear!

Leaderboard

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1Alex_from_Ukraine6573
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Club ranking
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1Manchester United146586
2Liverpool111204
3Chelsea90125
4Arsenal86324
5Manchester City58726
6Tottenham Hotspur19418
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8West Ham United7667
9AFC Bournemouth4915
10Everton4533

Level

3
Average: 3 (1 vote)

Goals

Practise your reading skills.

Learn more about 'going to' to speak about future plans and intentions.

Learn some new vocabulary.