Original Passage: (369 words)

England has won the Jules Rimet trophy—the symbol of world supremacy—after a thrilling final requiring extra time to decide the winner; it had not only the entire England and German road deserted but also kept 400 million television viewers on tenterhooks (to keep someone in suspense). In these days of charged (thrilling, electric) political atmosphere it is but natural for a country’s victory to be tarnished by charges of favouritism, unfair play and biased refereeing. England as the host faced most of these charges. England’s victory ever Argentina in the quarter-finals brought about a near revolt in the FIFA and irked the Latin American countries who felt that Europe had combined and loaded the dice against them. Perhaps never before were there so many shocks in a World cup as came this year. It started with the theft of the gold trophy and its strange recovery by a dog. No Englishmen will steal it now for the cup is proudly and rightfully won. Again the short odd favourites such as Brazil were literally booted out in the pre-quarter final stages as was another favoured football nation, Italy. The tiny North Koreans provided the greatest shock first by reaching the last eight and then by snatching an amazing three-goal lead from Portugal. The Koreans did prove that Asians, too, can play good football. Portugal produced ‘black panther’ Eusebio whose amazing score of goals rocked the world and knocked ‘black pearl’ Pele out of the “World’s Best Forward” citadel. The matches also produced rough play and a very large number of players were sent off the field and later suspended for ungamely play. England owed its success largely to good, efficient and combined efforts and a fine team spirit under the dictatorial guidance of the team manager, General Alf Ramsey who had predicted all along that England would win. The Victory has put England on top of the football world and it is perhaps only just, for it was England who gave the world this great and most popular game. And, in crisis-ridden England this is perhaps the happiest news for Prime Minister Harold Wilson who dashed back from Canada for the final. It may well prove to be a rallying point for the jittery pound.

PRECIS:

England has won the Jules Rimet Trophy by defeating Germany in the finals. The match kept the people in suspense till the last moment and left all the streets in England and Germany bare. It has been the most eventful World cup so far which started with the stealing of the trophy and its surprising retrieval by a dog, then England’s win over Argentina in the quarter finals brought many allegations of partiality, bias and fraudulence of referees which annoyed Latin American teams and caused rift in FIFA, then Italy’s victory over one of the favourites Brazil in the quarter-finals, North Koreans reached in the quarters by beating Portugal with shocking performance proving that Asians could also play football. Besides all this, many players were also suspended owing to foul play during matches. Finally, England emerged as a victor for its well-organised and untiring efforts under the competent guidance of team manger General Alf Ramsay. Their Prime Minister Wilson flew back from Canada to witness the final. The victory may avert the economic crisis, and save the pound from devaluation.

Heading: England's Victory