Counterattacks a pragmatic tactic for Chinese soccer, for now

The long underachieving sport of Chinese men's soccer finally got some good news recently, as the under-20 national team defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0 in the under-20 Asian Cup, keeping their qualifying hopes for the quarterfinals alive amid rampant scandals. The beleaguered sport is in limbo, highlighted by anti-graft investigations into Chinese Football Association head Chen Xuyuan and former head coach of the senior national team Li Tie. The victory over Saudi Arabia, the defending champions, witnessed a surprisingly low ball possession by Team China, as statistics show the Saudis dominated control of the ball 75.9 percent to China's 24.1 percent.

tips

pragmatic：忙碌的，实际的，务实的，国事的（pragmaticist 实用主义者，pragmaticism 实用主义）

tactic：策略，手段，招数，战术，兵法

qualify：取得资格，有资格；vt 使有资格（quality 质量，fy 使，复合质量，引申符合资格）

rampant：猖獗的，生猛的（ramp 斜坡，敲诈；vi. 乱冲，敲诈）

scandal：丑闻，流言蜚语，可耻的行为或者态度

beleaguered：包围的（beleaguer：vt. 围攻）

limbo：处于不定状态（lim 门槛，限制）

The beleaguered sport is in limbo 这项饱受指责的运动正处于困境中

highlighte：凸显

graft：嫁接，移植；贪污

anti：反对者

investigation：审查（invest 投资，ate 根据踪迹调查，调查）

former：从前的，前 xxx

senior：年长的，资深的

defend：防护（de 去掉，fend 打击，去掉打击->打退->保卫）

he defending champion 卫冕冠军

possession：n. 占有，持有，支配（possess：vt. 占有，支配）