Soccer Crazy (4 page)

Soccer came from England. It is now played in more countries around the world than any other team sport.

The first international game of soccer was played between Scotland and England in 1872. The score was 0–0.

Soccer is played on a rectangular field with a goal area and net at each end.

You score a soccer goal by kicking or heading the ball over your opponents' goal line at the end of the field.

In soccer, each goal you score is worth one point.

A soccer team has eleven players.

The goalkeeper is the only player who is allowed to touch the ball with their hands.

David Beckham is a world-famous English soccer player.

The Australian women's soccer team is called the Matildas, and the Australian men's soccer team is called the Socceroos.

1
Can anyone play on a soccer team?

2
How many players in a soccer team?

3
If a soccer player dribbles, does that mean he or she moves the soccer ball with their feet or that they dribble down the front of their shirt?

4
Are goalkeepers allowed to touch the ball with their hands?

5
Who's the best at soccer, Australia or England?

6
How many points do you score if you get a goal?

7
Is David Beckham a soccer player or a singer?

8
If you head the ball into the goal, do you score a goal?

How did you score?

If you got all 8 answers correct, then maybe you should be playing soccer for your country.

If you got 6 answers correct, you might need to do some more training before trying out for a team.

If you got fewer than 4 answers correct, then maybe you should think of playing another sport altogether.